Yap.Town

ils chantaient

were singing, sang

→ chanter
chant sing + aient imperfect tense, they
verb · third plural · imperfect indicative Rare #32,356
were singing, sang Imperfect tense (ongoing or habitual action in the past), 3rd person plural: “they” (or sometimes “you” plural/formal).
FR: Quand nous arrivions, ils chantaient dans la cuisine.
EN: When we arrived, they were singing in the kitchen.
Conjugation of chanter
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First chantais —
Second chantais —
Third chantait chantaient

Ils chantaient l’hymne national.

They were singing the national anthem.

John jouait de la guitare et ses amis chantaient.

John played the guitar and his friends sang.

Les oiseaux chantaient dans les bois.

The birds were singing in the woods.

Ils chantaient, ils dansaient.

They were singing, they were dancing.

— Le Miroir (1975)

Les oiseaux chantaient.

The birds were singing.

Tom et Mary chantaient ensemble dans la chorale.

Tom and Mary sang together in the choir.

Les oiseaux chantaient dans les arbres.

The birds were singing in the trees.