was picking up, was collecting
Ziri ramassait les ordures.
Ziri was picking up garbage.
C'est comme si on ramassait des melons dans un champ.
It's as if we were picking melons in a field.
— The Host (2006)
« Je vois », dit l'aveugle, tandis qu'il ramassait son marteau et sa scie.
“I see,” said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw.
« Je vois », dit l'aveugle, tandis qu'il ramassait son marteau et voyait.
“I see,” said the blind man, as he picked up his hammer and sawed.