t'étais

you were

→ te
phrase Common #3,116
you were Informal contraction of « tu étais », commonly used in speech and informal writing.
FR: T'étais où hier soir ?
EN: Where were you last night?

Je croyais que t'étais un spécialiste, à entendre mon père.

I thought you were an expert, according to my father.

— Plus fort que moi (2025)

T'étais sûr de te faire coincer.

You were bound to get caught.

— Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)

T'étais dans la salle d'eau?

Were you in the bathroom?

— La Main de Dieu (2021)

T'étais ?

Were you there?

Alors t'étais au courant?

So you knew about it?

— Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

T'étais pas au courant?

You weren't aware?

Tu sais quand j'ai compris que t'étais barge?

You know when I realized you were crazy?

— Même la pluie (2011)

Tu parles à Garbo, à Tyrone Power, comme si t'étais dingue.

You talk to Garbo and Tyrone Power as if you were crazy.

— Cinema Paradiso (1988)

T'étais pas posté dehors?

Weren’t you stationed outside?

— The Rip (2026)

Je croyais que t'étais en tôle.

I thought you were in prison.

— The Man From Nowhere (2010)

T'étais sur la route, frère.

You were on the road, bro.

— Avatar : De feu et de cendres (2025)

Tu m'as dit que t'étais un bon avocat.

You told me you were a good lawyer.

— Anatomie d'une chute (2023)

T'étais content de faire plus hier soir.

You were happy to do more last night.

T'étais hors de toi!

You were beside yourself!

— Vivre ! (1994)

T'étais , ce matin?

Where were you this morning?

— Reconnu coupable (2026)

Au fait, t'étais ?

By the way, where were you?

T'étais pas obligé de faire ça tout à l'heure.

You didn't have to do that earlier.

— Running Man (2025)

On a su que t'étais au Tribunal Mercy.

We found out you were at Mercy Courthouse.

— Reconnu coupable (2026)

Mais j'ai trouvé ça bizarre quand tu disais que t'étais amoureux d'elle.

But I found it weird when you said you were in love with her.

— La Famille Tenenbaum (2001)

T'étais prête à faire ça pour les policiers.

You were ready to do that for the cops.

— Marty Supreme (2025)

T'étais censée faire quoi?

What were you supposed to do?

— The Rip (2026)

T'étais une gamine.

You were just a kid.

— Salé, Sucré (1994)

T'étais en retard à ton enterrement!

You were late to your own funeral!

— Les Affranchis (1990)

T'as oublié, t'étais petit quand elle est morte.

You forgot—you were little when she died.

— Léviathan (2014)

Si t'étais futé, tu l'adorerais aussi.

If you were smart, you would love it too.

T'étais la nuit dernière?

Where were you last night?

T'étais pas discret.

You weren't exactly subtle.

— La Vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 et 2 (2013)

T'étais plus vieux que tu l'es maintenant.

You were older than you are now.

T'étais au courant?

Were you aware of that?

Papa, quand t'étais chauffeur, t'as conduit beaucoup de Mercedes?

Dad, when you were a chauffeur, did you drive a lot of Mercedes?

— Parasite (2019)

Je t'ai vue quand t'étais avec cette petite fille.

I saw you when you were with that little girl.

— Une Affaire de famille (2018)

Putain, t'étais ?

Fuck, where were you?

— Ne le dis à personne (2006)

T'étais trop bizarre à l‘hôpital.

You were acting really weird at the hospital.

— La Haine (1995)

T'étais dedans?

Were you in there?

— Marty Supreme (2025)

T'étais modèle avant?

Were you a model before?

— La Vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 et 2 (2013)

JD, t'étais amoureux d'elle.

JD, you were in love with her.

— The Rip (2026)

Paco t'a reconnue à la mairie, mais il savait que t'étais pas de lui.

Paco recognized you at city hall, but he knew you weren’t his.

— Volver (2006)

T'étais pas bien.

You weren’t feeling well.

— The Rip (2026)

Si seulement t'étais grand, anglais, riche et guitariste.

If only you were tall, English, rich, and a guitarist.

— Presque Célèbre (2000)

J'ai jamais dit que t'étais une pharmacie!

I never said you were a pharmacy!

— Central do Brasil (1998)

t'étais, hier soir?

Where were you last night?

— Presque Célèbre (2000)

Je croyais que t'étais mon ami.

I thought you were my friend.

T'étais sur le toit, enfoiré!

You were on the roof, asshole!

— La Haine (1995)

Je savais que t'étais con, mais pas à ce moins.

I knew you were stupid, but not to this extent.

— Cold Storage (2026)

T'étais cool avant.

You used to be cool.

— The Machinist (2004)

Le seul truc que t'étais censé faire?

The only thing you were supposed to do?

Tu disais que t'étais la tête d'affiche.

You said you were the headliner.

— The Big Sick (2017)

Pour Anaconda, t'étais sérieux?

About Anaconda, were you serious?

— Anaconda (2025)

Alors, t'en as parlé à ta mère quand t'étais là-bas?

So, did you talk to your mother about it when you were there?

— Caché (2005)

T'étais la première à prendre soin des pommes.

You were the first to take care of the apples.

Attends, t'étais ?

Wait, you were there?

— Scream 7 (2026)

T'as pas remarqué que t'étais au soleil?

Didn't you notice you were in the sun?

— Douleur et gloire (2019)

T'étais ?

Where were you?

— Juno (2007)

On t'a jamais dit que t'étais sexy?

Has no one ever told you that you're sexy?

Si, on va sauter comme sur la falaise quand t'étais petit!

Yeah, we’re going to jump like we did off the cliff when you were little!

— Demain tout commence (2016)

t'étais pendant qu'on a enseigné ça?

Where were you while we were teaching that?

T'étais pas obligé.

You didn't have to.

J'ai compris que t'étais une énigme.

I realized you were an enigma.

T'étais responsable.

You were responsible.

— Le Loup de Wall Street (2013)

T'étais chez lui, ça veut dire quoi?

You were at his place—what does that mean?

— Caché (2005)

T'aurais la même, si t'étais un mec.

You'd have the same one if you were a guy.

Tu sais, je disais à mes potes que t'étais écrivain.

You know, I was telling my friends that you were a writer.

— Dossier 137 (2025)

Où est-ce que t'étais?

Where were you?

— La Cité des hommes (2007)

T'étais flic?

Were you a cop?

— Blow Out (1981)

J'ignorais que t'étais !

I didn't know you were here!

— Le Loup de Wall Street (2013)

J'allais pas tout faire sauter sans être sûr que t'étais dans le bâtiment.

I wasn't going to blow everything up without making sure you were in the building.

— Reconnu coupable (2026)

T'imagines si t'étais allergique?

Can you imagine if you were allergic?

— Grave (2017)

Si t'étais une gonzesse, je t'épouserais.

If you were a girl, I would marry you.

T'étais tout à l'heure?

Where were you earlier?

— Grave (2017)

Pardon, je savais pas que t'étais .

Sorry, I didn't know you were here.

— F1® Le Film (2025)

T'étais pas morte, alors?

So you weren't dead after all?

— Volver (2006)

T'étais plus âgé et plus fort que moi.

You were older and stronger than me.

— Caché (2005)

T'étais avec cette salope, de la fête?

Were you with that bitch from the party?

— Le Loup de Wall Street (2013)

Tu la suis comme si t'étais son jules.

You follow her like you're her boyfriend.

T'étais trop occupé par tes histoires de femmes.

You were too wrapped up in your womanizing.

— Les Invasions barbares (2003)

T'étais distrait?

Were you distracted?

Et toi, t'étais comment au lycée?

And what were you like in high school?

— The Big Sick (2017)

T'as rien vu, t'étais pas là.

You didn’t see anything; you weren’t there.

— Volver (2006)

On m'a demandé si t'étais mon copain.

I was asked if you were my boyfriend.

— Parle avec elle (2002)

T'étais obligé de l'appeler Ramona?

Did you really have to call her Ramona?

— La grande bellezza (2013)

Je t'emmerde, t'étais pas là, nous si.

Fuck you, you weren't there, but we were.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

T'étais pas chez Elton John?

Weren’t you at Elton John’s place?

— Love Actually (2003)

Il a dit que t'étais le premier.

He said you were the first.

Il parle de toi comme si t'étais Picasso.

He talks about you as if you were Picasso.

— La Vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 et 2 (2013)

t'étais?

Where were you?

— Presque Célèbre (2000)

Je croyais que t'étais un marrant.

I thought you were funny.

— Cold Storage (2026)

Et puis t'étais d'accord, non?

And besides, you agreed, didn’t you?

— Pixote, la loi du plus faible (1980)

T'étais sur le toit?

Were you on the roof?

— La Haine (1995)

Je savais que t'étais encore là, quelque part.

I knew you were still there, somewhere.

— Scream 7 (2026)

T'étais dans l'armée?

Were you in the army?

T'étais le second de Jackie.

You were Jackie's second-in-command.

— The Rip (2026)

Tu le sais, t'étais , on n'avait rien à se dire, comme d'habitude.

You know it—you were there. We had nothing to say to each other, as usual.

— Les Invasions barbares (2003)

T'étais parfaite.

You were perfect.

— La Vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 et 2 (2013)

C'est comme si t'étais ma sœur.

It's as if you were my sister.

— Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

Chérie, t'étais un coup c'est tout.

Honey, you were just a one-night stand, that’s all.

— Chicago (2002)

t'étais?

Where were you?

— Blow Out (1981)

T'étais pas obligée de le porter dans la baignoire.

You didn't have to carry him into the bathtub.

— Les Diaboliques (1955)

Putain, mais t'étais ?

Fuck, where were you?

— Grave (2017)

Merde, je savais pas que t'étais puceau!

Shit, I didn't know you were a virgin!

— Apocalypse Now (1979)

J'avais oublié que t'étais .

I forgot you were here.

C'était mignon quand t'étais petit, mais plus .

It was cute when you were little, but not anymore.

— Demain tout commence (2016)

T'étais super.

You were great.

Tu m'as dit que t'étais ?

You told me where you were?

T'étais comment au lycée?

What were you like in high school?

— The Big Sick (2017)

T'étais génial.

You were awesome.

Daniel m'a dit que t'étais .

Daniel told me you were here.

— Viens chez moi, j'habite chez une copine (1981)

Au premier regard, j'ai su que t'étais capable de tout.

At first glance, I knew you were capable of anything.

— Crazy Kung‐Fu (2004)

T'étais , bordel?

Where the hell were you?

— Peaky Blinders : L'Immortel (2026)

On peut savoir t'étais?

Can we know where you were?

— Ouvre les yeux (1997)

Tu peux pas le savoir, t'étais pas là.

You can't know that—you weren't there.

— Volver (2006)

T'étais pas .

You weren't even born.

— Nobody Knows (2004)

Mais t'étais toute excitée.

But you were so excited.

— On ne vit qu'une seule fois (2011)

Hier, t'étais cinglée!

Yesterday, you were crazy!Winvalid

— Your Name. (2016)

T'étais possédée!

You were possessed!

— Your Name. (2016)

T'étais avec qui?

Who were you with?

On croyait que t'étais timide.

We thought you were shy.

— La Haine (1995)

T'étais un peu paumée, dans mon souvenir.

You were a little lost, as I remember.

— Anatomie d'une chute (2023)

Et toi, t'étais ?

And where were you?

T'étais hier soir?

Where were you last night?

Je parie que t'étais un super flic.

I bet you were a great cop.

T'étais pas de l'Opération Hastings.

You weren't part of Operation Hastings.

J'ai cru que t'étais cuit.

I thought you were done for.

— Anaconda (2025)

T'étais penchée en avant, le cul en arrière.

You were bent forward, with your ass sticking out.

— Apocalypse Now (1979)

T'étais au courant de tout ça?

Were you aware of all that?

— Volver (2006)

Si seulement tu m'avais dit que t'étais pédé.

If only you’d told me you were a faggot.

— Perfetti sconosciuti (2016)

Je sais, on m'a dit que t'étais avec l'auteur.

I know, I was told you were with the author.

— Séquences et conséquences (2000)

Je t'ai pas dit que t'étais parano?

Didn't I tell you that you were paranoid?

— Les Affranchis (1990)

phrase Uncommon #19,641
you were Informal contraction of tu étais. Used in casual speech.
FR: T'étais fatigué hier soir.
EN: You were tired last night.

J'ai cru que tu t'étais noyé.

I thought you drowned.

Quand t'étais admis, il te traitait comme un membre de sa famille.

When you were admitted, he treated you like a member of his family.

— Bullet Train (2022)

Tu ne t'étais pas trompé.

You weren’t mistaken.

— Des hommes d'honneur (1992)

t'étais passé?

Where have you been?

— Le Frère (1997)

Je ne savais pas que tu t'étais évanouie.

I didn't know that you'd fainted.

— Femmes au bord de la crise de nerfs (1988)

Je peux savoir t'étais passée?

Can I ask where you’d been?

— Marty Supreme (2025)

Il nous a dit que t'étais partie avec lui.

He told us that you had left with him.

— La Vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 et 2 (2013)

On m'a dit que t'étais devenu paresseux.

I was told you'd gotten lazy.

— Le Cercle des neiges (2023)

T'étais passé ?

Where had you been?

— A Taxi Driver (2017)

T'étais-tu amusé lors de la fête?

Did you have fun at the party?

Pendant que tu t'étais échappé, Polumisharudin?

While you were escaping, Polumisharudin?

— Ponyo sur la falaise (2008)

Si tu t'étais pas réveillé, tout aurait été fini.

If you hadn't woken up, it all would have been over.

— Silent Voice (2016)

Et t'étais passé?

And where had you been?

— Blow Out (1981)

On m'a dit que t'étais venue me voir.

I was told you came to see me.

— Silent Voice (2016)

T'étais passée ?

Where had you been?

J'ai cru que tu t'étais barré.

I thought you'd run away.

t'étais passée?

Where have you been?

— Chicago (2002)

T'étais déjà venu?

Had you been here before?

— La Main de Dieu (2021)

Si t'étais arrivé plus tôt, t'aurais pu voir le spectacle.

If you’d arrived earlier, you could have seen the show.

— Akira (1988)