was saying, was telling
That's what I told him.
C'est ça que tu me disais à l'époque, pas vrai ?
That's what you were telling me back then, right?
— Silent Voice (2016)
Comme je le disais, nous étions enchantés de percevoir cette beauté.
As I was saying, we were delighted to perceive this beauty.
— Le Sacrifice (1986)
Il faisait semblant de ne pas pouvoir entendre ce que je lui disais.
He pretended he couldn't hear what I was saying.
Si je te le disais, ce ne serait plus une surprise !
If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore!
— Le Roi lion (1994)