il lui a fallu

it took him/her

→ il
phrase Rare #35,061
it took him/her Used to say how much time, money, or effort was needed for something. The subject can change to match the person: il lui a fallu, il leur a fallu, etc.
FR: Il lui a fallu une semaine pour finir le projet.
EN: It took him a week to finish the project.

Il lui a fallu un temps fou pour piger la blague.

It took him ages to get the joke.

Il lui a fallu partager une chambre avec sa sœur.

She had to share a room with her sister.

Même s'il lui a fallu un jour, ce qui vous a pris six mois.

Even though it took him a day, it took you six months.

— Ne Zha (2019)

Il lui a fallu partager une chambre avec son frère.

He had to share a room with his brother.

Il lui a fallu beaucoup de temps pour choisir un chapeau.

It took him a long time to choose a hat.

Il lui a fallu quatre ans pour le dire.

It took him four years to say it.

— 3 Idiots (2009)

Il lui a fallu deux heures pour se préparer.

It took him two hours to get ready.