Yap.Town

ils coulaient

were flowing, were running

k u . l ɛ → couler
coul to flow, to run (liquid) + aient they were ...ing (imperfect past)
verb · third plural · imperfect indicative Rare #43,360
were flowing, were running
FR: Les rivières coulaient rapidement après la pluie.
EN: The rivers were flowing quickly after the rain.
Conjugation of couler
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
Third coulait coulaient

Les larmes coulaient de ses yeux.

Tears were streaming from her eyes.

Des larmes de joie coulaient sur leurs joues.

Tears of joy streamed down their cheeks.

Elle était là comme une statue, mais ses larmes coulaient.

She stood there like a statue, but her tears were flowing.

— Mon cœur est déjà pris (1999)

Sounds similar to

couler k u . l e voulais v u . l ɛ poulet p u . l ɛ coulée k u . l e