French · Real conversations
How to say “How long have you known each other?” in French
Ask how long two people have known one another.
Vous vous connaissez depuis combien de temps ?
How long have you known each other?
The construction describes a relationship that began in the past and continues now.
Use it in three situations
Meeting a couple
Vous vous connaissez depuis combien de temps ?
How long have you known each other?
Asking about colleagues
Vous vous connaissez depuis longtemps ?
Have you known each other for a long time?
Discussing an old friendship
Où est-ce que vous vous êtes rencontrés ?
Where did you first meet?
What to watch for
It is different from asking how long they have been in the same room today.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine visiting family. Say this in French: Have you known each other for a long time?
Reveal a sample reply
Vous vous connaissez depuis longtemps ?
Have you known each other for a long time?
Build a useful exchange
Thank a host and take part in a family visit.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
