seit

Definition & meaning

The word seit is a preposition and a conjunction used to indicate a point in time in the past from which an action or state has continued up to the present.

1. Prepositional use: It denotes the starting point of an ongoing duration. In English, it is translated as "since" or "for".
   • Example: "Ich wohne seit zwei Jahren hier" (I have been living here for two years).
   • Example: "Seit gestern regnet es" (It has been raining since yesterday).
2. Conjunction use: It introduces a subordinate clause indicating the point in time since which something has been happening.
   • Example: "Seitdem ich ihn kenne, bin ich glücklicher" (Since I have known him, I have been happier).

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: As a preposition, seit always requires the dative case. When used as a conjunction, it introduces a subordinate clause where the conjugated verb is placed at the end.
• Origin: The word originates from the Middle High German "sît", which is related to the Old High German "sītu". It shares roots with the concept of "following" or "afterwards". It is closely related to the adverb seitdem ↗.

Synonyms & antonyms

• Synonyms:
  • von ... an ↗ (starting from)
  • ab ↗ (often used in contexts of future or fixed starting points, though distinct in usage)
  • seitdem ↗ (when used as a temporal conjunction)
• Antonyms:
  • bis ↗ (until; marks the end point of a duration rather than the beginning)