German Phrase
Wie lange arbeitest du dort schon?
Meaning
This question asks the listener to specify the amount of time they have been employed at a particular location. It combines a duration query (Wie lange) with the present‑tense verb and the particle ‘schon’ to stress that the work started in the past and is still ongoing.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal or semi‑formal conversations when you want to learn more about a colleague’s or a new acquaintance’s job tenure – for example during a coffee break, a networking event, or when you’re introducing yourself at a new workplace.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wielangearbeitestdudortschon?
Wie lange
The phrase ‘Wie lange’ introduces a question about duration, similar to ‘how long’ in English.
Verb‑second (V2) rule
In German main clauses the finite verb occupies the second position; in a yes‑no or wh‑question the verb follows the interrogative phrase.
Verb conjugation – arbeiten
‘arbeiten’ is a regular weak verb; in the present tense for ‘du’ the ending is –st → ‘arbeitest’.
Subject pronoun – du
The personal pronoun ‘du’ follows the verb in a wh‑question because the verb already occupies the second slot.
Adverb of place – dort
‘dort’ means ‘there’ and is placed after the subject for natural flow.
‘schon’ with duration
‘schon’ (already) is used together with a duration to stress that the activity started in the past and continues up to now.
🗨In Conversation
Wie lange arbeitest du dort schon?
How long have you been working there?
Ich arbeite seit drei Jahren dort.
I have been working there for three years.
✕Common Mistakes
Wie lange du dort arbeitest?
The verb must stay in second position; the correct order is ‘Wie lange arbeitest du …’
Seit wie lange arbeitest du dort?
‘Seit’ and ‘wie lange’ do not combine; use either ‘Wie lange …?’ or ‘Seit wann …?’
Wie lange arbeitest du dort schon seit drei Jahren?
When you use ‘schon’ with a duration, place ‘schon’ at the end of the clause, not before ‘seit’.
↔Alternatives
Seit wann arbeitest du dort?
Since when have you been working there?
Wie lange bist du schon dort beschäftigt?
How long have you already been employed there?
Wie lange bist du dort schon tätig?
How long have you been active there?
Cultural Tip
German speakers appreciate direct but polite questions about work. Adding ‘schon’ signals that you assume the person has been there for a while, which can make the question feel more natural. In very formal settings you might replace ‘du’ with ‘Sie’ – ‘Wie lange arbeiten Sie dort schon?’ – and keep the same word order.