French Phrase
Ça fait des années qu'ils sont ensemble.
Meaning
This phrase expresses that a couple has been in a relationship for a significant amount of time. It uses the 'ça fait... que' construction, which is a common way to indicate duration for an action or state that started in the past and continues in the present.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing the longevity of a relationship between two people. It is appropriate for both casual conversations with friends and more formal discussions about family history.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ça faitdes annéesqu'ils sontensemble
Ça fait ... que
This idiomatic construction is used to express how long an ongoing state has lasted. It is followed by a clause in the present tense.
Present Tense for Duration
Unlike English, which uses the present perfect ('have been'), French uses the present tense ('sont') to show that the situation is still true.
🗨In Conversation
Est-ce qu'ils vont se marier bientôt ?
Are they going to get married soon?
Je ne sais pas, mais ça fait des années qu'ils sont ensemble.
I don't know, but they have been together for years.
✕Common Mistakes
Ils sont ensemble pour des années.
In French, 'pour' is used for intended future duration, whereas 'ça fait... que' or 'depuis' is used for duration starting in the past.
Ça fait des années qu'ils ont ensemble.
Use the verb 'être' (sont) to describe a state of being, not 'avoir' (ont).
↔Alternatives
Ils sont ensemble depuis des années.
They have been together for years.
Cela fait longtemps qu'ils sont en couple.
It has been a long time that they have been a couple.
Cultural Tip
In French culture, many couples choose to remain 'en couple' (together) or 'en concubinage' (living together) for decades without ever getting married. The term 'ensemble' is a very common and respected way to describe a committed, long-term relationship.