óta

óta

"Óta" means "since" in English.

Here, 'óta' is used to relate to a specific event ('elutazott' = 'he left') as the starting point of a time period.

Nem láttam őt azóta, hogy elutazott.

I haven't seen him since he left.

This sentence shows 'óta' in relation to an abstract time period or event ('Tanulmányaink' = 'our studies') designating the starting point.

Tanulmányaink óta tartjuk a kapcsolatot.

We have kept in touch since our studies.

In this sentence, 'óta' is used to indicate a point in time from which the period starts ('építése óta' = 'since the construction').

A házunk építése óta eltelt három év.

Since the construction of our house, three years have passed.