il dut

had to

→ il
phrase Rare #34,332
had to Past tense of devoir. Used in formal/written French; often translates as "had to" or "was forced to" in English.
FR: Il dut partir avant la fin de la réunion.
EN: He had to leave before the end of the meeting.

Pour sortir, il dut entrer.

To get out, he had to get in.

— L'Accusé (2017)

Il dut réduire le prix de ses marchandises.

He had to reduce the price of his goods.

Il dut passer une vie misérable durant de nombreuses années.

He had to spend a miserable life for many years.

Il dut trouver un autre moyen.

He had to find another way.

Il dut porter le sac.

He had to carry the bag.

Il dut remettre le rendez-vous pour cause de maladie.

He had to postpone the appointment due to illness.

Il dut partager une chambre avec son frère.

He had to share a room with his brother.

Mais il dut bien entrer, non?

But he must have gotten in somehow, right?

— L'Accusé (2017)