j'allais

I was going to

→ je
phrase Very common #1,931
I was going to The imperfect form of aller, commonly used before an infinitive to express a planned or imminent action in the past.
FR: J'allais partir quand tu m'as appelé.
EN: I was about to leave when you called me.

J'allais te le dire.

I was going to tell you.

— Douleur et gloire (2019)

Bref, je croyais que j'allais mourir.

Anyway, I thought I was going to die.

— Lady Vengeance (2005)

J'ai bien cru que j'allais y passer!

I really thought I was a goner!

— मुन्ना भाई एम बी बी एस (2003)

Que j'allais t'en parler.

That I was going to talk to you about it.

— Toni Erdmann (2016)

J'ai dit que j'allais m'en occuper.

I said I'd take care of it.

Non, j'allais frapper.

No, I was about to knock.

— La grande bellezza (2013)

J'allais voir une amie.

I was going to see a friend.

Je me suis dit que j'allais t'apporter un cadeau.

I thought I’d bring you a gift.

— La Double Vie de Véronique (1991)

J'allais prendre une douche.

I was going to take a shower.

J'allais faire partie d'une meute.

I was going to be part of a pack.

— Zootopie (2016)

Je te l'ai dit, j'allais appeler Bernie.

I told you, I was going to call Bernie.

— Drive (2011)

J'allais vous poser la question.

I was going to ask you that question.

C'est ce que j'allais vous demander.

That's what I was going to ask you.

Après tout ça, j'allais être condamné pour un meurtre que j'avais pas commis.

After all that, I was going to be convicted of a murder I hadn't committed.

— L'Ultime Héritier (2026)

Je savais que j'allais être punie.

I knew I was going to be punished.

Ouais, j'allais pas te laisser toute la gloire et la fortune.

Yeah, I wasn't about to let you have all the glory and fortune.

— La Guerre des étoiles (1977)

J'allais sonner.

I was about to ring the doorbell.

— Psychose (1960)

Qu'est-ce que j'allais faire?

What was I going to do?

J'allais justement partir.

I was just about to leave.

J'allais t'appeler.

I was going to call you.

J'ai jamais dit que j'allais tuer un keuf.

I never said I was going to kill a cop.

— La Haine (1995)

J'allais le rendre.

I was going to return it.

— Titanic (1997)

J'ai eu du temps pour penser à ce que j'allais dire.

I had time to think about what I was going to say.

— Pour l'éternité (2025)

J'allais te filmer.

I was about to film you.

— Projet Dernière Chance (2026)

J'allais partir sans vous prévenir.

I was going to leave without telling you.

— Rebecca (1940)

Je lui ai dit que j'allais y réfléchir.

I told him I would think about it.

J'ai dit que j'allais le faire.

I said I would do it.

Comme si j'allais apprendre quelque chose de vous.

As if I were going to learn anything from you.

— Ne Zha (2019)

J'allais tuer deux lapins d'un seul coup.

I was going to kill two rabbits with one stone.

— Troupe d'Élite : l'Ennemi Intérieur (2010)

J'allais poser la même question.

I was going to ask the same question.

J'allais en faire une grande star.

I was going to make him a big star.

Et savait mieux que moi ce que j'allais faire.

And knew better than I did what I was going to do.

— Apocalypse Now (1979)

J'allais vous le demander.

I was going to ask you that.

C'est ce que j'allais dire.

That's what I was going to say.

— Atlantide, l'empire perdu (2001)

J'allais révéler mon secret.

I was about to reveal my secret.

J'allais juste travailler.

I was just about to go to work.

J'allais le gifler quand est venu le tournant.

I was about to slap him when everything changed.

— Les Fraises sauvages (1957)

Tu pensais vraiment que j'allais t'embrasser?

Did you really think I was going to kiss you?

Alors vous croyez que j'allais laisser ce petit con en vie?

So you think I was going to let that little bastard live?

— Decision to Leave (2022)

J'allais te demander de venir avec moi.

I was about to ask you to come with me.

— Harry Potter et le Prince de sang-mêlé (2009)

J'allais parcourir une dernière fois les notes mais il n'y eut pas le temps.

I was going to go over the notes one last time, but there wasn’t time.

Ouais, comme si j'allais mettre cette merde dans ma poche.

Yeah, as if I were going to put this shit in my pocket.

— Running Man (2025)

Tu crois vraiment que j'allais partir comme ça.

Do you really think I was just going to leave like that?

— Insaisissables 2 (2016)

C'est exactement ce que j'allais dire.

That's exactly what I was going to say.

J'allais te téléphoner.

I was about to call you.

— Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

Oui, je lui ai dit que j'allais me renseigner et je vous ai contacté direct.

Yes, I told him/her I’d look into it and contacted you directly.

— Decision to Leave (2022)

J'allais pas me marier pour de bon.

I wasn't actually going to get married.

— Head-On (2004)

J'allais dire la même chose.

I was going to say the same thing.

Je fis ce que j'avais dit à Matias que j'allais faire.

I did what I had told Matias I would do.

— Troupe d'Élite : l'Ennemi Intérieur (2010)

Comment savais-tu que j'allais dire oui?

How did you know I was going to say yes?

J'ai cru que j'allais mourir.

I thought I was going to die.

J'allais vous demander la même chose.

I was going to ask you the same thing.

J'allais rentrer seule.

I was going to go home alone.

— Les Anges déchus (1995)

J'allais juste dîner.

I was just about to have dinner.

— Tár (2022)

J'ai pensé que j'allais étouffer dans ce train bondé.

I thought I was going to suffocate on this crowded train.

Comment saviez-vous ce que j'allais dire?

How did you know what I was going to say?

J'allais la demander en mariage.

I was going to ask her to marry me.

Exactement ce que j'allais dire.

Exactly what I was going to say.

J'allais t'écrire mais j'ai oublié.

I was going to write to you, but I forgot.

Je t'avais dit que j'allais brûler ce bâtiment et tous ceux qui s'y trouvent.

I told you I was going to burn down this building and everyone inside it.

— Running Man (2025)

J'allais mourir.

I was about to die.

— Roma (2018)

Je ne savais pas que j'allais être puni.

I didn't know I was going to be punished.

J'allais aller lui boucher le nez.

I was going to plug his nose.

— Plus fort que moi (2025)

J'allais te poser la même question.

I was going to ask you the same question.

J'allais pas attendre le dépanneur.

I wasn't going to wait for the tow truck.

— Moscou ne croit pas aux larmes (1980)

J'allais commencer.

I was about to start.

— Psychose (1960)

J'ai dit que j'allais partir.

I said I was going to leave.

— Andhadhun (2018)

Non, j'allais le faire aujourd'hui.

No, I was going to do it today.

— Central do Brasil (1998)

J'allais vous appeler, au sujet de cette page.

I was going to call you about this page.

J'allais proposer la possibilité suivante.

I was going to suggest the following option.

J'allais faire une sieste.

I was about to take a nap.

Je vous ai dit ce que j'allais faire.

I told you what I was going to do.

J'allais vous écrire mais j'ai oublié.

I was going to write to you, but I forgot.

J'allais sortir quand le téléphone a sonné.

I was about to go out when the phone rang.

J'allais justement t'appeler.

I was just going to call you.

J'allais t'en parler.

I was going to tell you about it.

— Mystic River (2003)

Plaisante pas, j'ai cru que j'allais mourir.

Don't joke around, I thought I was going to die.

— Une Affaire de famille (2018)

J'allais me casser le bras.

I almost broke my arm.

— Je suis toujours là (2024)

Tu croyais que j'allais m'éclipser?

Did you think I was going to disappear?

— La Guerre des étoiles (1977)

Séparée de mon amour, je croyais que j'allais mourir.

Separated from my love, I thought I was going to die.

— Lady Vengeance (2005)

J'allais te le demander.

I was going to ask you that.

— La Vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 et 2 (2013)

J'allais partir étudier à Londres et ça m'a anéantie.

I was about to go study in London, and it devastated me.

— Audition (2000)

J'allais chercher Michael à l'école.

I was going to pick Michael up from school.

— Mystic River (2003)

J'ai dit que j'allais le prendre.

I said I was going to take it.

Comme si j'allais te le dire.

As if I was going to tell you.

J'allais utiliser cela.

I was going to use that.

Vous saviez que j'allais tout dire à Ro, pas vrai?

You knew I was going to tell Ro everything, didn’t you?

— The Rip (2026)

J'allais pouvoir affronter le système.

I was going to be able to take on the system.

— Troupe d'Élite : l'Ennemi Intérieur (2010)

En effet, j'allais craquer.

Indeed, I was about to crack.

— Moscou ne croit pas aux larmes (1980)

J'allais vous le dire.

I was going to tell you.

C'est ce que j'allais faire.

That's what I was going to do.

Je savais que j'allais être arrêté.

I knew I was going to be arrested.

J'allais servir le souper.

I was about to serve dinner.

— Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2026)

J'allais justement appeler la police.

I was just about to call the police.

— Drive (2011)

J'allais le jeter, mais j'ai oublié.

I was going to throw it away, but I forgot.

— Femmes au bord de la crise de nerfs (1988)

J'allais te demander la même chose.

I was going to ask you the same thing.

— Dangal (2016)

J'allais partir et tu es apparue.

I was about to leave, and then you appeared.

— Retour à Silent Hill (2026)

Comment j'allais faire avec l'examen?

What was I going to do about the exam?

— Une seconde mère (2015)

C'est exactement ce que j'allais lui dire.

That's exactly what I was going to say to him.

— De tout cœur (1998)

J'allais travailler.

I was going to work.

J'allais pas tout faire sauter sans être sûr que t'étais dans le bâtiment.

I wasn't going to blow everything up without making sure you were in the building.

— Reconnu coupable (2026)

J'allais dire à Rob de te retenir, mais la cavalerie va débarquer.

I was going to tell Rob to keep you here, but the cavalry is about to arrive.

— Reconnu coupable (2026)

J'ai cru que j'allais y passer.

I thought I was going to die.

J'allais vous dire la même chose.

I was going to tell you the same thing.

J'allais repartir.

I was about to leave again.

— La dolce vita (1960)

J'allais juste fermer la porte.

I was just about to close the door.

— Wicked (2024)

Non, en fait j'allais justement m'en occuper.

No, actually I was just going to take care of that.

J'allais le dire.

I was going to say that.

— Léon (1994)

J'ai décidé que j'allais quitter mon emploi à temps partiel.

I decided that I was going to quit my part-time job.

J'allais t'écrire mais j'ai été trop occupé.

I was going to write to you, but I was too busy.

Je t'avais dit que j'allais te défoncer.

I told you I was going to beat the shit out of you.

— Running Man (2025)

J'allais même en prendre une.

I was even going to have one.

— Do the Right Thing (1989)

Je ne savais pas que j'allais être punie.

I didn't know I was going to be punished.

J'allais appeler la police.

I was going to call the police.

Et que j'allais nettoyer ta merde?

And that I was going to clean up your shit?

— Faute d'amour (2017)

Justement, j'allais voir ton boss.

Actually, I was just going to see your boss.

— La Guerre des étoiles (1977)

J'allais te proposer de gagner des sous sans sortir.

I was going to suggest you make some money without leaving the house.

— Tout sur ma mère (1999)

J'allais pas en parler.

I wasn't going to mention it.

— Il était Temps (2013)

J'allais continuer à me battre, mais d'une manière différente.

I was going to keep fighting, but in a different way.

— Troupe d'Élite : l'Ennemi Intérieur (2010)

Je croyais que j'allais m'en sortir tout seul.

I thought I could manage on my own.

— Ne le dis à personne (2006)

J'ai dit que j'allais réfléchir.

I said I would think about it.

Non, j'allais me lever.

No, I was just about to get up.

— Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

J'allais vous appeler.

I was going to call you.

J'allais ranger.

I was about to tidy up.

— Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

J'allais fermer.

I was going to close.

— La Légende du pianiste sur l'océan (1998)

J'allais y aller.

I was going to go there.

J'allais sortir vous chercher.

I was just about to go out and look for you.

— In the Mood for Love (2000)

J'allais l'épouser.

I was going to marry him.

— Article 15 (2019)

Je pensais à ce que j'allais te dire.

I was thinking about what I was going to tell you.

J'allais t'enfermer à ma place et, sous ton identité, disparaître avec ce type.

I was going to lock you up in my place and, using your identity, disappear with that guy.

— Mademoiselle (2016)

J'allais me coucher.

I was going to bed.

Je t'ai pas dit que j'allais revenir?

Didn't I tell you I was coming back?

— La Haine (1995)

Je ne savais pas que Noirtier était l'homme que j'allais devenir.

I didn’t know that Noirtier was the man I was going to become.

— Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (2007)

Tu croyais que j'allais me relever en te remerciant?

Did you think I was going to get back up and thank you?

— Nausicaä de la vallée du vent (1984)

Si je prenais appui sur elle pour sortir, j'allais l'enfoncer encore plus.

If I leaned on her to get out, I’d only push her further down.

— Le Cercle des neiges (2023)

J'allais te le dire ce soir.

I was going to tell you tonight.

J'allais partir.

I was about to leave.

— Ne le dis à personne (2006)

J'allais chercher la bague à la bijouterie.

I was going to pick up the ring at the jewelry store.

— Assurance sur la mort (1944)

J'ai dit que j'allais le ramener?

Did I say I was going to bring him back?

— Moscou ne croit pas aux larmes (1980)

Comme si j'allais vous le dire.

As if I were going to tell you.

Non, j'allais chercher le pain.

No, I was going to get some bread.

— Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

J'allais venir te voir.

I was going to come see you.

J'allais prendre un bain quand tu as appelé.

I was going to take a bath when you called.

J'allais enfin réussir, je ne pouvais pas tout gâcher.

I was finally going to succeed; I couldn't ruin everything.

— L'Accusé (2017)

Que croyiez-vous que j'allais proposer?

What did you think I was going to suggest?

J'allais vous poser la même question.

I was going to ask you the same question.

C'est ce que j'allais te demander.

That's what I was going to ask you.

Je savais que j'allais être puni.

I knew I was going to be punished.

Avant, j'imaginais que j'allais te retrouver et me venger.

Before, I imagined I’d find you and get my revenge.

— Lady Vengeance (2005)

J'allais skier.

I was going skiing.

Qu'est-ce que j'allais dire?

What was I going to say?

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

J'allais justement le dire.

I was just going to say that.

Je t'ai dit que j'allais le faire.

I told you I was going to do it.

Je voulais juste te prévenir que j'allais partir en avance aujourd'hui.

I just wanted to let you know that I was going to leave early today.

Qui a dit que j'allais vous laisser partir?

Who said I was going to let you leave?

— The Strangers (2016)

Que pensais-tu que j'allais faire?

What did you think I was going to do?

J'allais t'appeler, j'ai du retard.

I was just about to call you—I’m running late.

— L'Accusé (2017)

J'allais le préparer.

I was going to prepare it.

— Blade Runner (1982)

J'allais te dire la même chose.

I was going to tell you the same thing.

J'allais partir pour aller travailler lorsque le téléphone sonna.

I was about to leave for work when the phone rang.

Comment j'allais te dire ça?

How was I going to tell you that?

— Une seconde mère (2015)

J'ai dit que j'allais essayer.

I said I would try.

Je ne pensais pas que j'allais gagner.

I didn’t think I was going to win.

J'allais plonger pour trouver ceux que je voulais.

I was going to dive in to find the ones I wanted.

J'allais déposer celui-ci.

I was going to drop this one off.

— Arrête-moi si tu peux (2002)

Ce jour-là, j'allais partir.

That day, I was about to leave.

— Retour à Silent Hill (2026)

J'ai cru que j'allais y rester.

I thought I was going to stay there.

J'allais vous en parler.

I was going to tell you about it.

Je t'ai déjà dit que j'allais le faire.

I already told you I was going to do it.

— Nobody Knows (2004)

J'allais réussir mais on m'en a empêché une nouvelle fois.

I was about to succeed, but once again, they prevented me from doing so.

— The Garden of Sinners, film 5 : Spirale contradictoire (2008)

J'allais juste sortir faire des courses quand vous avez téléphoné.

I was just about to go out to do some shopping when you called.

Et si j'allais voir Kamal?

What if I went to see Kamal?

— Shelter (2026)

Si j'allais voir l'autre May?

What if I went to see the other May?

— Chungking Express (1994)

J'allais le faire.

I was going to do it.

— Wake Up Dead Man : Une histoire à couteaux tirés (2025)

Vous savez, j'allais devenir président de la Cour suprême.

You know, I was going to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

— Nuremberg (2025)

Tu pensais vraiment que j'allais t'aider?

Did you really think I was going to help you?

Lorsque j'étais petit, j'allais nager dans l'étang.

When I was little, I used to go swimming in the pond.

J'allais te chercher.

I was coming to get you.

— Le Maître d'armes (2006)

J'allais oublier.

I was about to forget.

— Chicago (2002)

J'allais appeler.

I was going to call.

Écoute, j'allais te le dire.

Listen, I was just about to tell you.

— Troupe d'Élite : l'Ennemi Intérieur (2010)

J'allais te réveiller.

I was about to wake you up.

— Le Voyage de Chihiro (2001)

J'allais pas louper ça.

I wasn’t going to miss this.

— Anaconda (2025)

J'allais demander à Tom de faire cela.

I was about to ask Tom to do that.

J'ai dit que j'allais y réfléchir.

I said I would think about it.

J'ai cru que j'allais m'évanouir.

I thought I was going to faint.

J'allais vous boucler à l'asile et m'enfuir.

I was going to lock you up in the asylum and run away.

— Mademoiselle (2016)

J'allais rendre visite à un ami.

I was going to visit a friend.

Que pensiez-vous que j'allais faire?

What did you think I was going to do?

J'allais filer.

I was about to leave.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Pensais-tu réellement que j'allais danser avec toi?

Did you really think I was going to dance with you?

Oui, j'allais partir.

Yes, I was just about to leave.

— Blow Out (1981)

J'allais y venir.

I was going to get to that.

J'allais sortir.

I was going out.

— Fight Club (1999)

Hier, j'allais sauter d'un pont pour me tuer.

Yesterday, I was about to jump off a bridge to kill myself.

— Silent Voice (2016)

J'allais la croquer!

I was about to eat her up!

— Mademoiselle (2016)

Mais j'allais la voir dès que je pouvais.

But I would go see her whenever I could.

J'ai vraiment cru que j'allais mourir.

I really thought I was going to die.

— The Garden of Sinners, film 5 : Spirale contradictoire (2008)

J'allais t'intégrer ici, en quelque sorte comme partenaire.

I was going to bring you in here, sort of as a partner.

— Running Man (2025)

J'ai oublié ce que j'allais dire.

I forgot what I was going to say.

phrase Uncommon #9,290
I was going to Imperfect tense of aller. Often expresses a past intention or something that was about to happen; in “J'allais bien,” it means “I was doing well.”
FR: J'allais appeler le médecin quand tu es arrivé.
EN: I was going to call the doctor when you arrived.

J'allais partout, je faisais ce que je voulais.

I went everywhere and did whatever I wanted.

— Les Affranchis (1990)

J'allais chez toi, un boulot m'est tombé dessus.

I was on my way to your place when a job came up.

— Le Cinquième Élément (1997)

J'ai rêvé que j'allais nue en classe.

I dreamed that I went to class naked.

Lors de mes années d'école, j'allais souvent pêcher.

During my school years, I often went fishing.

Alicia m'a demandé si j'allais bien.

Alicia asked me if I was okay.

— Parle avec elle (2002)

Des dimanches j'allais bosser avec papa.

Sundays when I went to work with Dad.

Il était partout où j'allais.

He was everywhere I went.

— La Cité de Dieu (2002)

J'allais bien.

I was fine.

J'allais à la pharmacie.

I was going to the pharmacy.

— La dolce vita (1960)

J'allais souvent à la pêche.

I used to go fishing often.

Elle m'a demandé si j'allais bien.

She asked me if I was okay.

J'allais au lit à dix heures lors des vacances d'été.

I used to go to bed at ten during the summer holidays.

Quand j'étais petit garçon, j'allais à l'océan tous les étés.

When I was a little boy, I went to the ocean every summer.

J'ai dit que j'allais à Niort.

I said I was going to Niort.

— Les Diaboliques (1955)

Un sentier secret j'allais, petit.

A secret path I used to go to when I was little.

— Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

J'allais à l'hôpital!

I was going to the hospital!

— Intouchables (2011)

Quand j'allais au bal, je n'ai jamais su partir à temps.

Whenever I went to the dance, I never knew when to leave on time.

— Vacances à Venise (1955)

J'allais souvent au ski.

I used to go skiing often.

Les étés j'allais d'habitude à Miami.

I usually went to Miami in the summers.

Le brouillard était si épais que je n'arrivais pas à voir j'allais.

The fog was so thick that I couldn't see where I was going.

Quand j'étais enfant, j'allais souvent à la plage pour me baigner.

When I was a child, I often went to the beach to swim.

Enfant, j'allais souvent pêcher avec mon père.

As a child, I often went fishing with my father.

J'allais encore à l'école.

I was still going to school.

— Moscou ne croit pas aux larmes (1980)

Je t'ai dit que j'allais bien.

I told you I was fine.

J'allais à pied à l'école à cette époque.

I used to walk to school back then.

J'allais sur les quais attendre ton retour.

I was going down to the waterfront to wait for you to come back.

— Pour l'éternité (2025)

J'allais aux toilettes, Dalva!

I was going to the bathroom, Dalva!

— Carandiru (2003)

J'ai dit que j'allais bien.

I said I was fine.

Et si j'allais au nord?

What if I went north?

— Blade Runner (1982)

J'allais à l'église le dimanche.

I used to go to church on Sundays.

J'allais souvent jouer à la Villa des Marais.

I used to often go play at the Villa des Marais.

— Souvenirs de Marnie (2014)

Déposez-moi au moins j'allais.

At least drop me off where I was going.

Je pouvais pas lui dire j'allais!

I couldn't tell him where I was going!

— Les Diaboliques (1955)

J'ai rêvé que j'allais nu en classe.

I dreamed that I went to class naked.

Tom a découvert que j'allais à Boston.

Tom found out that I was going to Boston.

J'allais à votre école.

I used to go to your school.

J'allais aux toilettes.

I was going to the bathroom.

— Léviathan (2014)

J'allais trop mal.

I was feeling really bad.

— Tout sur ma mère (1999)

C'est faux, j'allais très bien.

That's false; I was doing just fine.

— Rebecca (1940)

Mon ami m'a envoyé une lettre me demandant si j'allais bien.

My friend sent me a letter asking if I was okay.

J'allais à la clinique et elle restait à la maison pour cuisiner.

I was going to the clinic, and she stayed home to cook.

— मुन्ना भाई एम बी बी एस (2003)

J'allais souvent pêcher au lac.

I used to go fishing at the lake often.

Je vous ai dit que j'allais bien.

I told you I was fine.

J'allais mieux.

I was feeling better.

— À bout de course (1988)