je n'osais pas

I didn't dare

→ je

phrase Rare #38,768

I didn't dare The imperfect tense of oser, usually followed by an infinitive: je n'osais pas entrer means “I didn't dare to enter.” It can also stand alone when the action is understood from context.

FR: Je n'osais pas lui poser la question.

EN: I didn't dare ask him the question.

Je n'osais pas vous le demander.

I didn't dare ask you.

Je n'osais pas le dire avant.

I didn't dare say it before.

— Audition (2000)

Je n'osais pas parler.

I didn't dare speak.

Mais je n'osais pas.

But I didn’t dare.

— Les Nuits de Cabiria (1957)

Je n'osais pas te les donner.

I didn't dare give them to you.

— Mon cœur est déjà pris (1999)

Je n'osais pas entrer.

I didn’t dare go in.

— Guerre et Paix (1968)