Introduction
Desde que is a small but powerful Portuguese expression that learners need to master. Depending on context, it can mean since (time) or as long as/provided that (condition). This article explains when and how to use desde que in Brazilian Portuguese with clear rules, examples, and usage notes for beginners and intermediate students.
- Overview: two main uses of desde que
- Using desde que to indicate time (since)
- Using desde que to express condition (provided that / as long as)
- How to distinguish time use from conditional use in context
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Examples grouped by meaning
- Stylistic and regional notes
- How to practice noticing desde que in real language
- More nuanced examples and explanations
- Quick reference summary
- Conclusion
Overview: two main uses of desde que
Desde que has two primary functions in Portuguese:
1. Expressing time: similar to English since, showing when an action or state started and continues.
2. Expressing condition: similar to English provided that, as long as, or on the condition that.
Understanding which meaning applies depends on context, verb tenses, and sometimes punctuation. Below we break down each use with clear rules and natural Brazilian Portuguese examples.
Using desde que to indicate time (since)
Basic rule
When desde que indicates time, it marks the starting point of an action or situation that continues up to the present or another reference time. In this use, it often appears with the present perfect (in Portuguese, composto forms), present, or simple past depending on the speaker’s perspective.
Structure and verb tenses
Common structures include:
– Desde que + point in time + present tense or present perfect
– Main clause in present or present perfect + desde que + past point in time
Examples:
Eu moro aqui desde que nasci.
Ele trabalha na empresa desde que concluiu a faculdade.
Nós estamos ocupados desde que começou o projeto.
More on tenses
If the action started in the past and continues to the present, Brazilians often use the present tense in the main clause with desde que marking the starting point: Eu estudo português desde que me mudei para o Brasil. If the speaker focuses on the completed action leading to the current state, the past perfect/simple past may appear: Ele está no Brasil desde que chegou em maio.
Point in time phrases commonly used with desde que
Common reference points include a date, an event, or a specific moment. For example:
desde 2010
desde ontem
desde que comecei o curso
desde que me formei
Examples in sentences:
Ela trabalha aqui desde 2018.
Estamos juntos desde ontem.
Ele está mais calmo desde que mudou de emprego.
Using desde que to express condition (provided that / as long as)
Basic rule
When desde que introduces a condition, it functions like provided that or as long as. In this use, it connects a requirement or restriction to the main clause. The verb in the conditional clause can be in present, past, or future forms depending on the timing and probability.
Typical structure
– Main clause + desde que + subordinate clause (condition)
Examples:
Você pode sair, desde que volte cedo.
Eu te ajudo, desde que você peça com respeito.
Podemos negociar, desde que apresentem uma proposta séria.
Formal vs. informal nuance
As a conditional connector, desde que can sound slightly more formal or polite than other options like se (if). It often emphasizes an expectation or requirement. For example:
Se você me avisar, eu vou; versus
Desde que você me avise, eu vou.
The second sentence suggests a specific requirement: the speaker expects to be informed and frames their action as contingent on that information.
Combining with subjunctive mood
When the conditional clause expresses doubt, desire, or uncertainty, Brazilians often use the subjunctive. This is common when the action is hypothetical or future-oriented:
Eu saio amanhã, desde que você esteja livre.
Faremos o projeto, desde que eles assumam os custos.
Note how esteja and assumam are present subjunctive forms used after desde que in conditional contexts.
How to distinguish time use from conditional use in context
Look at verb tense and meaning
If desde que is followed by a specific date, time expression, or past event that marks a starting point, it is very likely the time meaning. Example: Estou sem notícias desde que viajei para São Paulo.
If desde que introduces a requirement, a promise, or a limitation and often pairs with subjunctive or present conditional meaning, it is the conditional meaning. Example: Você pode entrar, desde que pague a taxa.
Position in the sentence
Desde que at the beginning of a clause frequently signals time: Desde que cheguei, tudo mudou. When it appears after the main clause and attaches to a verb that expresses permission, obligation, or result, it often signals condition: Pode ir, desde que me avise.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Forgetting the right verb mood
Many learners use the indicative when the subjunctive is required for conditional nuance. If the condition is hypothetical or not yet fulfilled, use subjunctive: Eu aceito, desde que você prometa becomes Eu aceito, desde que você prometa or preferably Eu aceito, desde que você prometa (subjunctive in spoken Brazilian Portuguese often matches present indicative forms for some verbs, but conceptually subjunctive is correct).
Confusing with desde (since) alone
Desde without que can also mean since, but the structure differs: Desde 2015, desde ontem, or Desde então. Use desde que when you want to attach a clause (a verb) as the starting point: Desde que me mudei, vs Desde 2015.
Literal translation traps
Avoid translating English provided that/since directly without checking mood and tense. English since as time and since as cause can confuse learners. In Portuguese, cause is better expressed by porque or já que, while desde que keeps either time or conditional uses.
Examples grouped by meaning
Time (since)
Estou estudando medicina desde que entrei na universidade.
Tenho sentido falta do meu cachorro desde que ele viajou com minha irmã.
Não choveu aqui desde que começou o verão.
Condition (provided that)
Você pode usar meu carro, desde que volte antes das 22h.
Eu te empresto o dinheiro, desde que você me devolva no mês que vem.
Eles aceitarão o acordo, desde que haja garantias suficientes.
Stylistic and regional notes
Brazilian usage tendencies
Brazilians use desde que frequently in both senses. In casual speech, intonation helps disambiguate meaning. For instance, a pause after desde que often signals a conditional clause, while a smooth flow often signals a temporal clause.
Formal vs colloquial alternatives
Alternatives for time: desde (with date), desde então, a partir de. For condition: se, contanto que, caso. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance:
Se você vier = if you come (neutral)
Contanto que você venha = provided that you come (more formal/strict)
Desde que você venha = as long as you come (common and natural)
How to practice noticing desde que in real language
To internalize both uses, read and listen to varied Brazilian Portuguese sources. Look for desde que in news articles, podcasts, and conversations. Pay attention to surrounding time expressions, verb tenses, and whether the clause expresses a requirement or a starting point.
When you encounter desde que, ask two quick questions:
1. Is there a specific time or event mentioned? If yes, likely time meaning.
2. Is it setting a condition or requirement? If yes, likely conditional meaning.
More nuanced examples and explanations
Sometimes desde que can carry both temporal and conditional shades depending on subtle differences in stress or context. Consider:
Ele está melhor desde que começou o tratamento.
This is primarily temporal: he has been better since he started treatment.
Ele está melhor, desde que começou a tomar os remédios corretamente.
Still temporal, but the comma and extra information emphasize cause and condition jointly.
Another example mixing nuance:
Você pode participar desde que tenha experiência.
Here the main focus is obligation: having experience is a condition. There is no temporal meaning.
Quick reference summary
– Use desde que for time when indicating when something started and continues: Depuis… in English contexts corresponds to since.
– Use desde que for condition when meaning provided that or as long as; often followed by subjunctive for hypothetical situations.
– When no verb follows, or you give a specific date, use desde instead: desde 2000, desde ontem.
– For cause, prefer porque or já que, not desde que.
Conclusion
Desde que is versatile and appears frequently in Brazilian Portuguese. It can mark a starting point in time or introduce a condition. Learn to read context, check verb tenses and moods, and listen for intonation. With exposure and practice you will quickly recognize whether desde que means since or provided that in real conversations and texts.
