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How to Say ‘How long has it been hurting?’ in Simplified Chinese

疼了多长时间了？

téng le duō zhǎng shí jiān le

[téng luh duō cháng shir-jyen le]

💬 Usage Tip: The 了 at the end means the pain started in the past and is still going on. That is why you answer with a length of time plus 了.

Phrase Breakdown

疼了

téng le

has been hurting

疼 (téng) means to hurt. 了 (le) shows the pain started and is still going on. Keep 了 light and short.

Example

我的头疼了。

My head has started hurting.

Words in this phrase

疼

téng

[téng]

to hurt; painful

Describes physical pain in a body part.

Example

我头疼。

I have a headache.

了

[luh]

completed action marker

Shows that an action has happened or a new situation has occurred.

Example

我想了很久，还是决定联系你。

I thought about it for a long time and still decided to contact you.

多长时间了？

duō zhǎng shí jiān le

for how long?

多长时间 (duō cháng shíjiān) means how long. The final 了 shows the situation continues up to now.

Example

你学中文多长时间了？

How long have you been studying Chinese?

Words in this phrase

多

duō

[duō]

how (to what extent)

Before an adjective in questions, asks about degree or amount.

Example

这条河多宽?

How wide is this river?

长

zhǎng

[cháng]

long

Adjective for length of space or time.

Example

这条路很长。

This road is long.

时间

shí jiān

[shir-jyen]

time

Refers to time in general or a specific time slot or schedule.

Example

你什么时候有时间？

When do you have time?

了

[le]

change-of-state particle

Used with 快…了 to show something is about to happen.

Example

火车快来了。

The train is about to arrive.

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