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How to Say ‘How long have you been living in Germany?’ in German

Seit wann wohnen Sie in Deutschland?

zyte vahn VOH-nen zee in DOYCH-lahnt

[zyte vahn VOH-nen zee in DOYCH-lahnt]

🇩🇪 In Germany: This is usually friendly small talk, but interviewers may also be gauging your German level and how settled you are. A short answer plus a word about liking it here goes down well.

Phrase Breakdown

Seit wann wohnen Sie

zyte vahn VOH-nen zee

how long have you been living

'Seit wann' literally means 'since when'. The 'w' sounds like an English 'v': vann, VOH-nen.

Example

Seit wann wohnen Sie hier?

How long have you lived here?

Words in this phrase

Seit

[zyte]

since / for

Used with time expressions to show duration from the past until now.

Example

Seit zwei Jahren arbeite ich in Berlin.

I have been working in Berlin for two years.

wann

[vahn]

when

Question word asking about time.

Example

Wann haben Sie Zeit?

When do you have time?

wohnen

[VOH-nen]

live, reside

To have your home somewhere.

Example

Wir wohnen in Berlin.

We live in Berlin.

Sie

[zee]

you

The formal 'you' used in polite professional conversations.

Example

Ich freue mich, Sie hier auf der Jobmesse zu sehen.

I am pleased to see you here at the job fair.

in Deutschland?

in DOYCH-lahnt

in Germany

'Deutsch' sounds like 'doytsh'. Stress DEUTSCH.

Example

Ich studiere in Deutschland.

I study in Germany.

Words in this phrase

[in]

Expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else.

Example

Das Haus steht in Trümmern.

The house is in ruins.

Deutschland

[DOYCH-lahnt]

Germany

The country name.

Example

Deutschland spielt heute.

Germany plays today.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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