j'essayai

I tried

→ je

phrase Rare #39,125

I tried The literary or formal past historic form of essayer, usually found in written narratives. In everyday spoken French, j'ai essayé is normally used instead.

FR: J'essayai de lui parler, mais elle partit.

EN: I tried to talk to her, but she left.

J'essayai de le dire à Tom.

I tried to tell Tom.

J'essayai d'embrasser Mary.

I tried to kiss Mary.

J'essayai de me noyer.

I tried to drown myself.

— Rashōmon (1950)

J'essayai de l'aider.

I was trying to help him.

J'essayai.

I tried.

J'essayai de la remonter.

I tried to bring her back up.