il devait

was supposed to

→ il

phrase Uncommon #11,852

was supposed to Often refers to an expected or planned action in the past. Depending on context, it can also mean “had to” or “must have.”

FR: Il devait partir tôt, mais il est resté plus longtemps.

EN: He was supposed to leave early, but he stayed longer.

Il devait pas y avoir un camion ?

Wasn't there supposed to be a truck?

— Insaisissables 2 (2016)

Il devait être en train de chier.

He must have been taking a shit.

— PIKU (2015)

Hé, il me doit de l'argent, il devait me le donner aujourd'hui !

Hey, he owes me money—he was supposed to give it to me today!

— Marty Supreme (2025)

Il devait effacer ce crime de son esprit.

He needed to erase that crime from his mind.

— Psychose (1960)

Il devait parier gros ?

He had to bet big.

— F1® Le Film (2025)

Je ne sais pas, il devait les voir.

I don't know, he was supposed to see them.

— L'Accusé (2017)

Il devait y avoir beaucoup de sang, la pluie a heureusement tout nettoyé.

There must have been a lot of blood, but luckily the rain washed it all away.

— Decision to Leave (2022)

Il devait avoir une raison.

He must have had a reason.

Il devait mourir de la main d'une femme !

He was destined to die at the hands of a woman!

— Tigre & Dragon (2000)

Il devait avoir un fusil du dernier modèle.

He must have had a late model rifle.

Il devait me donner de l'argent pour mon vol.

He was supposed to give me money for my flight.

— Marty Supreme (2025)

Il devait ramener un fonctionnaire de l'Est, Schmidt.

He was supposed to bring back an official from the East, Schmidt.

Il devait faire en sorte qu'on comprenne.

He had to make sure people understood.

— The Man from Earth (2007)

Tom m'a demandé où il devait se garer.

Tom asked me where he should park.

Il devait parler de vous.

He must have been talking about you.

— Avengers (2012)

Il devait y avoir une autre raison.

There must have been another reason.

— Old Boy (2003)

Il devait même pas être blessé.

He wasn't even supposed to be hurt.

— Blow Out (1981)

Il devait te laisser tomber bien avant.

He should have let you down long before.

— Le Miroir (1975)

Il devait avoir une bonne raison.

He must have had a good reason.

Il devait me prendre après mon cours à l'université.

He was supposed to pick me up after my class at the university.

— Assurance sur la mort (1944)

Il devait revenir l'an dernier pour le boulot.

He was supposed to come back last year for work.

— Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Bien qu'il fût épuisé, il devait reprendre le travail.

Although he was exhausted, he had to return to work.

Il devait avoir le trac, mais il n'a commis aucun impair.

He must have been nervous, but he didn't put a foot wrong.

— Titanic (1997)

Il était impuissant, il devait attendre que cette femme revienne le guider.

He was powerless; he had to wait for this woman to return and guide him.

— Mirage (2018)

Il devait faire une promenade avec Dorothée.

He was supposed to go for a walk with Dorothy.

— La Nuit américaine (1973)

Il devait partager une chambre avec son frère.

He had to share a room with his brother.

Il devait dîner avec nous, mais il est tombé malade soudainement.

He was supposed to have dinner with us, but he suddenly fell ill.

Il devait nous croire encore dans les Hamptons pour le week-end.

He must have thought we were still in the Hamptons for the weekend.

— Le Loup de Wall Street (2013)

Il devait venir me chercher.

He was supposed to come and pick me up.

— L'Agent secret (2025)

Il devait avoir une liaison.

He must have been having an affair.

— Vivre (1952)

Il devait me ramener au studio, finalement il a embarqué Liliane.

He was supposed to take me back to the studio, but in the end he took Liliane with him.

— La Nuit américaine (1973)

Il devait se savoir malade !

He must have known he was sick!

— Vivre (1952)

Il devait avoir toutes les raisons pour cela.

He must have had every reason for that.

Il devait livrer de l'argent.

He was supposed to deliver some money.

— Le Loup de Wall Street (2013)