Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Getting used to new glasses in Spanish
Helping your child adjust to new glasses involves recognizing positive changes. We focus on using 'desde que' (since) to express how things have improved over time.
What you'll learn
- Use 'desde que' to mark the starting point of an action or state.
- Discuss vision and comfort using Spanish vocabulary for eyewear.
- Form temporal subordinate clauses in the indicative mood for factual changes.
Spanish phrases for getting used to new glasses
Desde que tengo las gafas, las letras se ven más claras.
Since I got my glasses, the letters look clearer.
'Desde que' marks the beginning of the state of having glasses.
¿Te duelen menos los ojos desde que empezaste a usarlas?
Do your eyes hurt less since you started wearing them?
'Empezaste' is preterite, referring to a specific point in time.
Desde que el óptico las ajustó, se quedan en su sitio.
Since the optician adjusted them, they stay in place.
'Se quedan' implies they no longer slip down the nose.
Leo con más comodidad desde que tengo estas gafas.
I read more comfortably since I got these glasses.
'Con más comodidad' is a natural way to say comfortably.
Desde que compramos el estuche, tus gafas están más seguras.
Since we bought the case, your glasses have been safer.
Uses 'están' (temporary/location state) for safety in this context.
Desde que me enseñaste, limpio los cristales con cuidado.
Since you showed me, I clean the lenses carefully.
'Los cristales' literally means 'the crystals' but is the standard term for lenses in Spain.
Noto más detalles desde que empecé a usarlas.
I notice more details since I started wearing them.
'Usarlas' refers back to 'las gafas' (feminine plural).
Desde que mi amigo también tiene gafas, me siento menos diferente.
Since my friend got glasses too, I feel less different.
Focuses on the social and emotional adjustment.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Gafas
Glasses
Used in Spain; 'lentes' or 'anteojos' are more common in Latin America.
Estuche
Case
Specifically for small items like glasses or pencils.
Cristales
Lenses
Refers to the glass/plastic parts of the eyewear.
Óptico
Optician
The professional who checks vision and adjusts frames.
Temporal Clauses with 'Desde que'
In Spanish, 'desde que' connects a starting event to a resulting ongoing state. Unlike German 'seitdem', the finite verb does not necessarily go to the end, but the structure remains consistent.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point (Past) | Desde que + [Preterite] | Desde que me las puse... (Since I put them on...) |
| Ongoing state | Desde que + [Present] | Desde que las tengo... (Since I have had them...) |
More examples
Desde que fuimos a la tienda, no has perdido tus gafas.
Since we went to the store, you haven't lost your glasses.
Highlights a positive habit formed since the visit.
¿Ves mejor la pizarra desde que te sientas delante?
Do you see the board better since you sit in the front?
Combines a change in position with 'desde que'.