Avait-il (en. Had he)

avɛ il

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Used to ask a question about someone's or something's past state.

Had he understood the instructions before starting?

Avait-il compris les consignes avant de commencer ?

Expression used to inquire about a previous situation.

Had he seen this movie before?

Avait-il déjà vu ce film ?

To ask if an action was performed in the past.

Had he already eaten before leaving?

Avait-il déjà mangé avant de partir ?

Constructed form of the verb 'to have' in the imperfect and the subject pronoun 'he'.

did he have something to say?

Question about someone's opinion or state.

avait-il quelque chose à dire ?

did he need help?

Inquiry about the need for assistance.

avait-il besoin d'aide ?

to have

Verb that means to possess or have something.

avoir

been

Past participle of the verb to be, used to indicate a previous state or condition.

été

Anxiety about knowing someone's past.

When she asked 'had he?', I could sense her curiosity.

Quand elle a demandé 'avait-il ?', je pouvais sentir sa curiosité.

Doubt about a past situation.

He still wonders, 'did he really say that?'

Il se demande encore, 'avait-il vraiment dit cela ?'