Since When – कब से? Meaning & Explanation

The idiom “Since when” is typically used to express surprise or disbelief about a situation that has changed or something that has happened, often in a sarcastic or inquisitive tone. It is a way of asking when something new or unexpected started happening. The phrase implies that the speaker didn’t know about the change and is curious or astonished about it.

✔ Meaning:

• A question asked to express surprise about something that has happened or changed, which the speaker was unaware of.
• Used to express disbelief or curiosity about when a certain event or behavior began.
• Can also be used sarcastically to suggest that the change seems sudden or unusual.

✔ Used when:

• You are surprised by someone’s behavior or situation that has changed.
• You didn’t know that something new has happened, and you’re curious about when it occurred.
• You want to show disbelief that something happened or is happening.

✔ Implied Message: The idiom “since when” is often used to question the timeline of an event or to highlight that the speaker has not been informed about a change, often indicating surprise or shock.

Hindi Equivalent:
“कब से?” or “ये कब हुआ?”
(अर्थ: यह बदलाव या घटना कब से हो रही है? या मैंने इस बारे में नहीं सुना।)

🧠 Detailed Explanation
The phrase “Since when” is often used to ask about a situation that has changed, especially when you are unaware of the change. It implies surprise and often a bit of sarcasm, as if to say, “Why wasn’t I informed about this?” It’s a way to highlight that a new development or habit has occurred without the speaker’s knowledge. It can also be used to suggest that the change is unexpected or unusual.

Example Scenario:
If someone suddenly starts wearing formal clothes every day, and you hadn’t noticed this change, you might say, “Since when do you wear suits every day?” indicating that you were unaware of this new habit.

Key Takeaways:

• The idiom highlights surprise and curiosity about a recent or unexpected change.
• It can be used to ask when a new action, behavior, or event started.
• Often carries a sarcastic or inquisitive tone.

✔ Origin of the Idiom:
The expression “since when” has been part of the English language for centuries, often used in informal conversations. It is typically used when someone realizes or learns about a situation that has been ongoing for a while but wasn’t previously known to them. It has roots in questioning the duration or beginning of something, especially when it’s surprising or significant.

✔ Real-World Examples:

In Social Situations:
English: “Oh, you’ve been practicing yoga? Since when?”
Hindi: “ओह, तुम योगा कर रहे हो? कब से?”

In Personal Conversations:
English: “You’re always late now. Since when is this a habit?”
Hindi: “तुम अब हमेशा लेट हो जाते हो। ये कब से आदत बन गई?”

✔ When to Use the Idiom:

• When you’re surprised by someone’s new behavior or situation.
• When something has changed unexpectedly, and you want to know when it started.
• In situations where you want to express disbelief or curiosity about a development.

📍 Cultural Perspectives
In many cultures, the phrase “since when” is used as a way to highlight how something has changed unexpectedly or without warning. It can sometimes have a sarcastic undertone, suggesting that the change is either new or unanticipated.

💡 Key Insights:

• The idiom teaches that things often change without notice, and we may only realize it when it’s pointed out.
• It’s a useful expression to show surprise or shock at something that has been going on but wasn’t previously known.

🌏 Global Relevance:
This idiom is widely understood in English-speaking cultures and is commonly used to express surprise or curiosity about unexpected changes. It has similar counterparts in many languages, often involving questions about timing or when something started happening.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever asked “since when” because you were surprised by a change in someone’s behavior?
• Do you use this idiom often to express disbelief or curiosity about something new?

🔁 Similar Expressions

English Idiom	Hindi Meaning
What’s going on?	क्या हो रहा है?
When did this happen?	ये कब हुआ?
Since when did you…?	तुम कब से… करने लगे हो?