How to say “was” in French?

Learn how to say “was” in French:

Bonjour! In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the different ways to say “was” in French. This simple word can have different translations depending on the context and tense in which it’s used. Let’s take a closer look!

  1. “Était”: The most common way to say “was” in French is “était”. This term is used in the past tense to describe a state, condition, or action that took place in the past. For example, “Il était médecin” (He was a doctor).
  2. “Étais”: Another way to say “was” in French is “étais”. This term is used in the past tense to describe a state, condition, or action that took place in the past from the point of view of the speaker. For example, “J’étais très fatigué hier” (I was very tired yesterday).
  3. “Était en train de”: This term is used to describe an action that was in progress in the past. For example, “Il était en train de manger quand il a reçu un appel” (He was eating when he received a call).
  4. “Étais en train de”: This term is used to describe an action that was in progress in the past from the point of view of the speaker. For example, “J’étais en train de travailler quand je me suis rendu compte que j’avais oublié mon sac” (I was working when I realized I had forgotten my bag).

In conclusion, understanding the different ways to say “was” in French can help you express your ideas more accurately and effectively. Whether you’re describing a state, condition, or action that took place in the past, knowing the different terms for “was” in French will come in handy. Bonne chance!

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