il fallait que

it was necessary that

→ il

phrase Uncommon #13,260

it was necessary that Often translated as “had to” when followed by a person and an action. The verb that follows is in the subjunctive.

FR: Il fallait que tu partes tôt.

EN: You had to leave early.

Mais il fallait que ce con écoute sa bite !

But that asshole had to listen to his dick!

— Tenacious D Et Le Mediator Du Destin (2006)

Il fallait que je me débarrasse de lui.

I had to get rid of him.

Il fallait que j’arrive de plus en plus tôt pour trouver une table où dîner.

I had to arrive earlier and earlier to find a table for dinner.

Oui, il fallait que je les paie, mais j’avais d’autres choses à faire.

Yes, I had to pay them, but I had other things to do.

Il fallait que je rentre chez moi.

I had to go home.

Il fallait que je te parle, que je te rencontre.

I needed to talk to you, to meet you.

— Harry Potter et la Chambre des secrets (2002)

Il fallait que tu te mêles de ça.

You just had to get involved, didn’t you?

— Hothead (1979)

Il fallait que je te vois.

I had to see you.

Il fallait que tu me quittes pour réussir dans la vie.

You had to leave me to succeed in life.

— The World (2004)

J’avais aussi envie de déjeuner, mais il fallait que je parle à Gramps.

I wanted to have lunch too, but I had to talk to Gramps.

Il fallait que j'entende ça.

I needed to hear that.

— मुन्ना भाई एम बी बी एस (2003)

Il fallait que ça soit dit.

It had to be said.

— Mystic River (2003)

Il fallait que les étudiants apprennent la Constitution par cœur.

Students had to learn the Constitution by heart.

Il fallait que je l'envoie le plus loin possible.

I had to send him as far away as possible.

— Indiana Jones et la dernière croisade (1989)

Il fallait que je te parle.

I had to talk to you.

— Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Il fallait que je tue un terroriste qui a des petits pieds.

I had to kill a terrorist with small feet.

— Piège de cristal (1988)

Il fallait que je me déplace.

I had to go.

— Harry Potter et la Chambre des secrets (2002)

Il fallait que je parle à David Robertson de la succession.

I had to talk to David Robertson about the succession.

Non, mais il fallait que je vérifie.

No, but I had to check.

— Conclave (2024)

Il fallait que je trouve un corps.

I had to find a body.

— Ne le dis à personne (2006)

Il fallait que je le vende et plus maintenant ?

I had to sell it, but not anymore?

— Les Bonnes étoiles (2022)

Le chirurgien a dit qu’il fallait que quelqu’un garde un œil sur elle, madame.

The surgeon said someone needed to keep an eye on her, ma’am.

Bon, il fallait que je trouve comment les transporter.

Well, I had to figure out how to transport them.

Il fallait que je t'appelle.

I had to call you.

— Assurance sur la mort (1944)

Il fallait que j'agisse, que je fasse n'importe quoi.

I had to act, to do something—anything.

— Rebecca (1940)

Il fallait que je cesse.

I had to stop.

Il fallait que tu te reposes.

You needed to get some rest.

— Faute d'amour (2017)

Il fallait que je vois ça de mes propres yeux.

I had to see this with my own eyes.

Copain ou pas, il fallait que je passe.

Friend or not, I had to stop by.

— Le Salaire de la peur (1953)

Il fallait que tu nettoies l'aquarium aujourd'hui ?

Did you have to clean the aquarium today?

— Le Loup de Wall Street (2013)

Il fallait que j'attire ton attention.

I had to get your attention.

Il fallait que je te sorte de là.

I had to get you out of there.

— Terminator 2 : Le Jugement dernier (1991)

Il fallait que je parle à quelqu'un.

I needed to talk to someone.

Il fallait que j'agisse.

I had to act.

Il fallait que je te prenne avec moi.

I had to take you with me.

— Suzume (2022)

Il fallait que je vous parle.

I had to talk to you.