Have been + time

Question

Hola a todos:

I'd like to know the best way to express this in concept in Spanish.

Context :I have two friends (boyfriend/girlfriend) that have been together for almost six years.

1) Hace casi seis años que están juntos.

2) Llevan casi seis años juntos.

3) Llevan viviendo juntos desde hace casi seis años.

4) Han estado (viviendo) juntos desde hace casi seis años.

I think that (4) is wrong (would it be understood?)

Does anyone have any information on "Llevar + time"? Is there a previous thread?

Gracias.

Answer 1

I vote for 2

The "hace casi" phrase sounds funny because of the rhyme.

Thanks Julian :-) - patch, Aug 28, 2010

I usually say "Hace como...." Casi does sound funny... hehe. - NikkiLR, Aug 28, 2010

Answer 2

Patch,

(1) and (2) I think are fine. (3) seems correct but I don't think you need to add "hace". (4) I think is grammatically correct, and I think the "haber + estado + ger construction is used more in Spain than say Mexico; again I think it's better without "hace".

Here's the story on constructions with "llevar" - very useful.

Llevar + ger. To have been doing something (time) Llevo leyendo dos horas. Llevar + pp: To have done something (things) Llevo leídos dos libros.

I hope this is helpful. I'll check the thread to see what a native speaker says about your 4 examples.

J

Very helpful. Thanks Jeremias......... - patch, Aug 28, 2010

but "Llevo dos libros leídos" - are you sure? Never heard this one. - patch, Aug 28, 2010

Sorry, the word order got mixed in a cut and paste... But yes, "Llevo leidos dos libros" is a correct and useful expression. - Jeremias, Aug 28, 2010

Answer 3

To me all four sentences sound perfectly natural. I can imagine myself using any of them. Sentences 3 and 4 seem wrong to me without "hace". I don't know whether colloquially people suppress them in any country, but I wouldn't before I am confident with the language.

"Llevo leídos dos libros" is also a common expressión.

Thank you - patch, Aug 28, 2010

Answer 4

2 and 3 for me, 4 in a pinch.

Thank you, jeezzle - patch, Aug 28, 2010

Answer 5

I'd personally use 1 most of the time, because that's what I learned first. Nowadays I might get adventurous and use 2 sometimes. 3 and 4 are fine sentences, but longer than I would normally use.

Thanks - patch, Aug 28, 2010

Answer 6

If I hadn't seen your answers I would probably have translated your sentence as your option No, 2 .

In my BBC Spanish book it comes quite near the beginning, it's taught along with 'Hace..' but for some reason the 'llevar' construction sticks in my head.

It's all just from theory though, I'm not sure I've yet been in a situation to hear it in a real conversation.