J’allais (en. I was going)

/ʒ‿ale/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicates an action that was taking place in the past.

When I was a child, I often went to the beach.

Quand j’étais enfant, j’allais souvent à la plage.

Expresses an intention or projection in the past.

I knew that I was going to pass my exams.

Je savais que j’allais réussir mes examens.

Can be used to talk about past habits.

Every day, I went to the market to buy vegetables.

Tous les jours, j’allais au marché pour acheter des légumes.

From the verb 'to go' from the Latin 'ire'.

I was moving forward

Means that one is making progress despite obstacles.

j’allais de l’avant

I was doing well

Indicates that one feels good or in good condition.

j’allais bien

I was going straight

Expresses a clear direction or goal in the past.

j’allais tout droit

to go

Verb that means to move from one place to another.

aller

path

Path, way, or space for circulation.

allée

round trip

Travel in both directions.

aller-retour

To have plans

I was going out with my friends tonight.

J’allais sortir avec mes amis ce soir.

To be about to do something

I was just going to tell him.

J’allais juste le lui dire.