N’avaient (en. Had not)

/n‿avɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicates possession or experience in the past.

They didn't have time to finish their homework.

Ils n’avaient pas le temps de finir leurs devoirs.

Expresses a past situation or condition.

The children had never visited this museum.

Les enfants n’avaient jamais visité ce musée.

Used to form compound tenses in the past.

He said that they didn't understand the lesson.

Il a dit qu’ils n’avaient pas compris la leçon.

From the verb 'avoir' in the plural imperfect.

had nothing to do

Indicates that they had no task or obligation.

n’avaient rien à faire

had no choice

Indicates that they were forced to make a decision.

n’avaient pas le choix

had no idea

Indicates that they knew nothing about the subject.

n’avaient aucune idée

have

Verb meaning to possess or have.

avoir

had

Plural form of the verb avoir in the past.

avaient

Had not a penny

At the end of the month, they didn't have a penny in their pocket.

À la fin du mois, ils n’avaient pas un sou en poche.

Had no luck

They had no luck at gambling.

Ils n'avaient pas de chance aux jeux.