Portuguese Phrase
Quanto tempo isso já tá acontecendo?
Meaning
The speaker is asking how long a particular situation or event has been taking place. The use of “já” and the colloquial “tá” makes the question sound informal and conversational.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to know the duration of an ongoing event in a casual setting—talking with friends, family, or coworkers. It’s perfect for everyday situations like asking about a project, a weather pattern, or a personal habit.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quantotempoissojátáacontecendo
Quanto tempo
Question phrase used to ask about the length of time something has lasted.
já
Means “already”; when placed before a progressive verb it signals that the action started in the past and is still ongoing.
tá (está)
Colloquial contraction of the verb estar (to be). Common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, but avoided in formal writing.
acontecendo
Gerund of acontecer (to happen). Combined with estar it forms the present progressive: “is happening”.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto tempo isso já tá acontecendo?
How long has this been happening?
Já faz três semanas que a chuva não para.
It’s been three weeks that the rain hasn’t stopped.
✕Common Mistakes
Quanto tempo isso já está acontecendo?
While grammatically correct, many learners over‑use the full form “está” in casual speech, making the sentence sound stiff.
Tempo quanto isso já tá acontecendo?
The order must be “Quanto tempo” (how long). Swapping the words changes the meaning and sounds ungrammatical.
Quanto tempo isso já tão acontecendo?
Do not replace “tá” with “tão” (which means “so”). “Tão” changes the verb entirely.
↔Alternatives
Quanto tempo isso está acontecendo?
How long has this been happening?
Há quanto tempo isso está acontecendo?
How long has this been happening?
Desde quando isso está acontecendo?
Since when has this been happening?
Cultural Tip
The contraction “tá” is ubiquitous in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, especially among younger speakers and in informal regions like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In formal contexts—emails, academic writing, or when speaking to strangers—use the full form “está”. Also, note that “já” before a progressive verb emphasizes that the action started earlier than expected, adding a nuance of surprise or impatience.