je venais de

I had just

→ je

phrase Rare #45,207

I had just Used with an infinitive to say that something had just happened in the past. The imperfect form of venir makes the action relative to another past event.

FR: Je venais de sortir quand il a commencé à pleuvoir.

EN: I had just gone out when it started to rain.

Je venais de mourir.

I had just died.

— Pour l'éternité (2025)

Je venais de passer mon examen de piano ce jour-là.

I had just taken my piano exam that day.

— La Double Vie de Véronique (1991)

Le jour où mon père est mort, je venais de me laver et j'étais prêt.

The day my father died, I had just washed and was ready.

— L'Agent secret (2025)

Je venais de me mettre au lit quand le téléphone commença à sonner.

I had just gotten into bed when the phone started ringing.