How long has it been going on?

Neutral Polite

What it really means

A standard doctor's question about how long you have had the problem. Before your appointment, note when it started, how often it happens and what makes it better or worse — it helps the short appointment go further.

Chinese explanation
医生的常规问题:"这种情况持续多久了?"就诊前先记下开始时间、发作频率、什么会加重或缓解——能让短短的问诊更高效。

Example conversation

A: How long has it been going on? B: About two weeks. It's worse in the morning and better after I move around.
A:这种情况持续多久了? B:大概两周了。早上比较严重,活动之后会好一些。

What you could say back

No spoken reply needed for this one.

Related phrases

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.
All Healthcare & NHS
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake