Stop Confusing seit, seit & seitdem | German B1
seit zwei Jahren, seit ich in Berlin wohne, seitdem: three words, three different jobs. Seit and seitdem look similar, but they are different types of words. In this lesson you learn the three jobs: seit as a preposition, seit (or seitdem) as a conjunction, and seitdem as an adverb. Plus a simple trick to decide which one you need.
1. seit as a Preposition
As a preposition, seit is followed by a noun or a time expression in the Dativ. It means "for" or "since", and the verb is usually in the Präsens.
- Ich wohne seit zwei Jahren in Berlin. (I have been living in Berlin for two years.)
- Er lernt seit Montag Deutsch. (He has been learning German since Monday.)
2. seit / seitdem as a Conjunction
As a conjunction, seit or seitdem starts a subordinate clause (Nebensatz). The conjugated verb goes to the end. You can use the Präsens or the Perfekt.
- Ich wohne in Berlin, seit ich dort arbeite.
- Seitdem ich in Berlin wohne, habe ich viele Freunde gefunden.
In the conjunction version, seit and seitdem mean the same.
3. seitdem as an Adverb
As an adverb, seitdem refers back to something you already said, so you do not need to repeat it. It can stand in different positions in the sentence.
- Ich bin 2020 nach Berlin gezogen. Seitdem lebe ich dort.
- Ich lebe seitdem dort.
Bonus: How to Choose
| What follows? | Use |
|---|---|
| a noun or time expression | seit (preposition) |
| a full clause with its own verb | seit or seitdem (conjunction) |
| nothing, you refer back to a previous sentence | seitdem (adverb) |
Homework
Write one sentence for each of the three uses.
What to Learn Next
Read SEIT & BIS used as German Conjunctions and bevor, während & nachdem. For another time conjunction, see The German Conjunction NACHDEM explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between seit and seitdem?
As conjunctions they mean the same and start a subordinate clause. Seit can also be a preposition with a time expression, and seitdem can also be an adverb.
Which case does seit take as a preposition?
The Dativ, for example seit zwei Jahren.
Which tense do I use with seit?
Usually the Präsens, because the action is still going on. In a subordinate clause you can also use the Perfekt.
Where does the verb go after seit as a conjunction?
The conjugated verb goes to the end of the subordinate clause.
What does seitdem mean as an adverb?
It means since then and refers back to something you already mentioned.
Want to master time expressions and connectors at B1 level? Our B1 German online course practises them step by step.
