Da quanto tempo ha questi sintomi?

How long have you had these symptoms?

Pronunciation

SIN-to-mi — stress on first syllable. The 'o' is closed. Plural of 'sintomo'.

When to use it

A doctor will ask you this. Learn to understand it and respond with 'Da... giorni/settimane/mesi' (For... days/weeks/months).

What it means

'Da quanto tempo' introduces duration questions. 'Da' + time expression means 'for' (a duration up to now): 'Da tre giorni' = 'For three days'. This is different from English — Italian uses present tense where English uses past continuous: 'Ho la tosse da una settimana' = 'I have had a cough for a week'.

Variations

Da tre giorni.

For three days.

Short answer to the doctor's question about duration

Da una settimana circa.

For about a week.

'Circa' means approximately — useful when unsure

È iniziato ieri sera improvvisamente.

It started suddenly last night.

Describes sudden onset — important diagnostic information

Mini Dialogue

— Da quanto tempo ha questi sintomi? — Da circa quattro giorni. — Ha preso qualche farmaco? — Ho preso della tachipirina, ma non è bastata. — Capisco. Le faccio degli esami del sangue.

— How long have you had these symptoms? — For about four days. — Have you taken any medication? — I took some Tachipirina, but it was not enough. — I see. I will order some blood tests.

Cultural Note

'Tachipirina' (paracetamol/acetaminophen) is the most common over-the-counter painkiller and fever reducer in Italy. It is a household name, much like Tylenol in the US. Italians often say 'prendo la tachipirina' rather than 'prendo il paracetamolo'.

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