ils chantaient

sang, were singing

→ chanter
chant to sing + aient ils/elles imperfect
verb · 3rd-person plural, imperfect tense Rare #37,196
sang, were singing
FR: Les enfants chantaient dans le jardin.
EN: The children were singing in the garden.
Conjugation of chanter
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First chantais —
Second chantais —
Third chantait chantaient

Elles chantaient en chœur.

They sang in chorus.

Ils chantaient l’hymne national.

They were singing the national anthem.

Les oiseaux chantaient dans les arbres.

The birds were singing in the trees.

Tom et Mary chantaient ensemble dans la chorale.

Tom and Mary sang together in the choir.

Ils chantaient, ils dansaient.

They were singing, they were dancing.

— Le Miroir (1975)

Les oiseaux chantaient dans les bois.

The birds were singing in the woods.

John jouait de la guitare et ses amis chantaient.

John played the guitar and his friends sang.

Les oiseaux chantaient.

The birds were singing.