Time Expressions: da, fa, tra, per

Italian uses four short words to place an action in time. English often changes the verb tense to do this instead.

• da + a period + the present tense = an action that began in the past and is still going on: Studio italiano da due anni (I have been studying Italian for two years). To ask about it, say Da quanto tempo...? (How long have you been...?)
• fa comes after the period and means ago: tre giorni fa (three days ago).
• tra or fra (same meaning, use either) + a period = in that much time from now: Il treno parte tra dieci minuti (The train leaves in ten minutes).
• per + a period = a closed, finished duration, usually with a past tense: Ho abitato a Milano per cinque anni (I lived in Milan for five years).

Don't translate I have been with a past tense. Italian keeps the present with da.