il n’y avait

there was no

→ il
phrase Rare #33,955
there was no Used to say that something did not exist or was not present in the past. Often followed by pas, rien, personne, or aucun(e).
FR: Il n’y avait personne dans la rue.
EN: There was no one in the street.

Il n’y avait que des femmes, des vieillards et des enfants.

There were only women, old men, and children.

— The Salt of the Earth (2014)

Il n’y avait pas suffisamment de preuves pour l’accuser.

There wasn’t enough evidence to accuse him.

Il allait bien, il n’y avait que son nez qui saignait.

He was fine; only his nose was bleeding.

— La strada (1954)

Mais là, les gens sont morts parce qu'il n’y avait pas de quoi manger.

But in this case, people died because there wasn't anything to eat.

— The Salt of the Earth (2014)

Il n’y avait personne pour l’achever !

There was no one to finish him off!

— Demon Slayer : Kimetsu no Yaiba - Le film : La Forteresse infinie (2025)

Il n’y avait aucune sécurité, il n’y avait rien.

There was no security, there was nothing.

— The Salt of the Earth (2014)

Il n’y avait personne.

There was no one.

— Caché (2005)

Il n’y avait pas besoin de ça, patron.

There was no need for that, boss.

— Army of Shadows (1969)