il rentrait chez lui

he was going home

→ il

phrase Rare #29,617

he was going home The imperfect form rentrait describes an ongoing or habitual action in the past. Depending on context, rentrer chez lui can also mean “to return home.” Chez lui literally means “at his place” and refers to a male person’s home.

FR: Après le travail, il rentrait chez lui à pied.

EN: After work, he was walking home.

Il a été agressé alors qu'il rentrait chez lui tard dans la nuit.

He was attacked while he was walking home late at night.

Il buvait et il rentrait chez lui.

He would drink and go home.

— Les Lundis au soleil (2002)

Après il rentrait chez lui.

Afterwards, he would go home.

— Les Lundis au soleil (2002)

Le gars est parti, il a dit qu'il rentrait chez lui.

The guy left; he said he was going home.

— Chute libre (1993)

Il rentrait chez lui.

He was going home.

— Chute libre (1993)