J’avais (en. I had)

/ʒ‿avɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicates a possession in the past.

When I was a child, I had a dog.

Quand j’étais enfant, j’avais un chien.

Expresses an obligation or necessity in the past.

I needed to finish my homework before going out.

J’avais besoin de finir mes devoirs avant de sortir.

Used to form compound tenses.

I had already eaten when he arrived.

J’avais déjà mangé quand il est arrivé.

From Old French 'aveir', which means to have.

I had said

Means that one had previously expressed something.

j'avais dit

I had planned

Indicates that something had been planned beforehand.

j'avais prévu

I had wanted

Expresses a desire or intention in the past.

j'avais voulu

have

Verb meaning to possess or hold.

avoir

possess

To have in one's possession, to hold.

posséder

habit

Action or behavior regularly performed in the past.

habitude

Used to express nostalgia.

I had, back then, such crazy dreams.

J’avais, à l'époque, des rêves si fous.

To talk about something unaccomplished.

I had planned to go to the beach, but it rained.

J’avais prévu d'aller à la plage, mais il a plu.