nous ne voulions pas

we didn't want to

→ nous

phrase Rare #40,337

we didn't want to Uses the imperfect tense of vouloir with negation. The infinitive that follows explains what was not wanted; it can also stand alone when the intended action is clear from context.

FR: Nous ne voulions pas vous déranger.

EN: We didn't want to disturb you.

Nous ne voulions pas être dans vos pattes.

We didn’t want to get in your way.

Nous ne voulions pas d'histoires.

We didn't want any trouble.

— L'Histoire personnelle de David Copperfield (2019)

Nous ne voulions pas, mais nous avons dû y aller.

We didn't want to, but we had to go.

Nous ne voulions pas exclure Marie de nos plans.

We didn’t want to exclude Marie from our plans.

Nous ne voulions pas énerver Tom.

We didn't want to upset Tom.