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    Était (en. Was)

    /e.tɛ/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishFrench
    verb
    Indicates a state or situation in the past.
    Once upon a time there was a king.
    Il était une fois un roi.
    Expresses a condition or state of being in the past.
    She was happy with her grade.
    Elle était contente de sa note.
    Used to describe a repeated action or a habitual fact in the past.
    When I was a child, I played outside every day.
    Quand j'étais enfant, je jouais dehors tous les jours.
    Used in conditional sentences.
    If he were here, he would have participated.
    S'il était là, il aurait participé.

    Etymology

    Comes from the Latin 'erat', which is the imperfect form of the verb 'esse'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    Once upon a time
    An expression used to begin a story.
    Il était une fois
    It was time
    Expresses that it was now timely to do something.
    Il était temps
    It was not bad
    Indicates that something was acceptable or satisfactory.
    C'était pas mal
    All that he was
    Refers to all the past characteristics or qualities of a person.
    Tout ce qu'il était

    Related Words

    to be
    Verb meaning to exist or to have a certain quality.
    être
    state
    Situation or condition of a person or thing.
    état
    study
    Process of thoroughly examining a subject.
    étude

    Slang Meanings

    Familiar expression of nostalgia.
    Do you remember what it was like when we were young?
    Tu te souviens comment c'était quand on était jeunes ?
    Used to express a past situation with humor.
    We were like crazy that summer!
    On était comme des fous cet été-là !