Expressing Duration with "Há ... que"
To emphasize how long an ongoing action has been happening, Portuguese uses a structure with the verb haver.
Há + [time expression] + que + [present tense verb]
While English uses the present perfect continuous ("has been doing"), Portuguese simply uses the present tense because the action is still happening.
| For a month, the apprentice has been cleaning the workshop. | Há um mês que o aprendiz limpa a oficina. |
| The master has been helping the new carpenter for a long time. | Há muito tempo que o mestre ajuda o novo carpinteiro. |
Time Expressions
You can use this structure with any length of time. Placing the time expression at the beginning of the sentence draws focus to the duration.
| The apprentice has been studying the technique with him for two weeks. | Há duas semanas que o aprendiz estuda a técnica com ele. |
| The carpenter has been working in this workshop for a decade. | Há uma década que o carpinteiro trabalha nesta oficina. |
Negative Durations
This structure works exactly the same way for things that haven't happened in a while. Just add não before the main verb.
| This carpenter hasn't left the workshop for a decade. | Há uma década que este carpinteiro não sai da oficina. |
The Workshop
You will practice these structures alongside vocabulary for a traditional carpentry workshop (a oficina), including tools like the saw (a serra) and materials like varnish (o verniz).
| For three years, the master has preferred this varnish for the wood. | Há três anos que o mestre prefere este verniz para a madeira. |
