i a dos ans, fa dos ans
Time Ago
I a dos ans and fa dos ans mean two years ago.
How It Works
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| i a dos ans | two years ago | I a tres ans, demoràvem a Rodés. |
| fa dos ans | two years ago | Fa un an, Maria es partida per Montpelhièr. |
| fa dos ans que + present | for two years | Fa dos ans que demòri a Tolosa. |
Both i a and fa are written, and they mean the same. The verb of the main clause is in the past: the imperfect, the compound past or the simple past.
The dictionary also prints dos ans a, but writers use i a and fa, so use those. You have met i a already in I a un libre sus la taula.
Compare fa dos ans que demòri (I have lived here for two years) with dempuèi dos ans, which says the same thing.
Examples (5)
- I a tres ans, demoràvem a Rodés.
Three years ago, we lived in Rodez.
I a tres ans opens the sentence, and the verb is in the imperfect.
- Fa un an, Maria es partida per Montpelhièr.
A year ago, Maria left for Montpellier.
Fa un an is a variant of i a un an.
- I a sièis meses, ai crompat aqueste ostal.
Six months ago, I bought this house.
I a sièis meses is followed by the compound past.
- Fa dos ans que demòri a Tolosa.
I have lived in Toulouse for two years.
Fa dos ans que is followed by the present and means for.
- Fa tres ans que Marta trabalha a Albi.
Marta has worked in Albi for three years.
Fa tres ans que links a time to a situation that goes on.
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense with i a dos ans.
I a dos ans, demòri a Albi.I a dos ans, demoravi a Albi.I a dos ans looks back, so the verb must be in the past.
How It Connects
Learn This First
I a plus a length of time looks back and the verb is in the past, so i a and the choice between the compound past and the imperfect come first.
- i aThere Is and There Are
Know i a, because it is the first half of the phrase: I a tres ans, demoràvem a Rodés.
Level 1 - Compound Past or Imperfect
Know the compound past and the imperfect, because the verb after i a or fa is in the past: I a tres ans, demoràvem a Rodés. Fa un an, Maria es partida.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- dempuèiSince and for
Dempuèi dos ans gives the same duration as fa dos ans que.
Level 3 - dins + Length of TimeIn a Length of Time
Dins looks ahead from now, while i a and fa look back.
Level 3 - Imperfect of -ar Verbs
The imperfect is common after i a: demoràvem.
Level 3 - Compound Past With aver
The compound past is common after fa.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice i a dos ans, fa dos ans in Bubblegum
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