L’avais (en. Had it)

/l‿avɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicates possession or a state in the past.

I had a dog named Max.

J'avais un chien qui s'appelait Max.

Used to form compound tenses.

When I arrived, he had already eaten.

Quand je suis arrivé, il avait déjà mangé.

Expresses a past intention or obligation.

I thought that I had done it.

Je pensais que je l’avais fait.

"Lavais" is the first person singular of the imperfect tense of the verb "avoir," which comes from the Latin 'habere.'

I had said

What I was saying before.

j'avais dit

I thought that I had

I believed before that I had.

je pensais que j'avais

He could have had it

It was possible for him to have it.

il aurait pu l'avoir

to have

Verb meaning to possess or have something.

avoir

had

Third person singular of the imperfect tense of the verb "avoir."

avait

would have

Third person singular of the conditional of the verb "avoir."

aurait

To have something in mind or planned.

I intended to go out tonight.

J'avais l'intention de sortir ce soir.

To convey a feeling of regret.

I would have liked you to be there, but I didn't wait for you.

J'aurais aimé que tu sois là, mais je t'avais pas attendu.