vous étiez

you were

→ vous
phrase Very common #1,091
you were Imperfect form of être used with vous. It can mean either plural "you" or formal singular "you," and is used for past states, situations, or ongoing background descriptions.
FR: Quand vous étiez enfant, vous habitiez où ?
EN: Where did you live when you were a child?

Je ne pensais pas que vous étiez si âgée.

I didn't think you were that old.

Bravo, Chuck, je savais que vous étiez malin.

Well done, Chuck, I knew you were smart.

Vous étiez incroyable à la bataille de la rivière.

You were amazing at the river battle.

Vous avez souvent joué ensemble, quand vous étiez enfants.

You often played together when you were children.

— Les Invasions barbares (2003)

Dès que je vous ai vu, je savais que vous étiez fou.

As soon as I saw you, I knew you were crazy.

— Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

Vous étiez collées.

You were stuck together.

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

Bordel, vous étiez?

Damn, where were you?

— Whiplash (2014)

Vous étiez si pressé qu'ils ne sont pas préparés.

You were in such a hurry that they weren't prepared.

— Salyut-7 (2017)

Vous étiez jalouse?

Were you jealous?

— Une Affaire de famille (2018)

Tom a dit que vous étiez bons aux échecs.

Tom said you were good at chess.

Tu m'as dit que vous étiez juste amis.

You told me that you were just friends.

Vous étiez dans le couloir du deuxième étage de l'hôpital.

You were in the hallway on the second floor of the hospital.

Tu sais dans quel pétrin vous étiez?

Do you know what a mess you were in?

— The Shadow's Edge (2025)

Vous étiez supposés vous occuper de ça.

You were supposed to take care of that.

— Juno (2007)

Vous étiez le plus brillant scientifique de votre époque.

You were the most brilliant scientist of your time.

Vous étiez drôle.

You were funny.

— The Big Sick (2017)

J'ai entendu Souta dire que vous étiez à l'hôpital.

I heard Souta say that you were in the hospital.

— Suzume (2022)

Je ne savais pas que vous étiez si fatiguée.

I didn't know you were so tired.

Je croyais que vous étiez baron.

I thought you were a baron.

On s'est bien amusés quand vous étiez ici.

We had a great time when you were here.

vous étiez?!

Where were you?!

— Les Invasions barbares (2003)

Et vous étiez d'accord avec ça?

And you were okay with that?

— Nuremberg (2025)

Vous étiez toujours très gentils.

You were always very kind.

Toutes les fois où vous étiez à notre table.

Every time you were at our table.

— Le vent se lève (2006)

Vous étiez , n'est-ce pas?

You were there, weren't you?

Vous étiez ensemble?

Were you together?

Vous étiez au courant?

Were you aware of this?

— Perfetti sconosciuti (2016)

Grande Sœur, faisiez-vous ainsi lorsque vous étiez enceinte de Maître Feipu?

Big Sister, did you do this when you were pregnant with Master Feipu?

— Épouses et Concubines (1991)

Vous étiez un ami intime?

Were you a close friend?

— La dolce vita (1960)

Vous étiez hier soir?

Where were you last night?

— Ouvre les yeux (1997)

Vous étiez ici pas plus tard que l'autre jour, n'est-ce pas?

You were here just the other day, weren’t you?

Vous étiez censé vous assurer qu'ils restent en vie.

You were supposed to make sure they stayed alive.

— Nuremberg (2025)

Vous étiez éveillées.

You were awake.

Vous étiez seules, à ce moment-là, n'est-ce pas?

You were alone at that time, weren't you?

Vous étiez jalouse, n'est-ce pas?

You were jealous, weren't you?

Vous étiez dans l'armée?

Were you in the army?

Heureusement que vous étiez .

Glad you were there.

J'ignorais que vous étiez éveillés.

I didn't know you were awake.

Je n'ai pas pris conscience que vous étiez éveillées.

I didn't realize you were awake.

On m'a dit que vous étiez proches.

I heard you were close.

Vous étiez soûl, pas vrai?

You were drunk, weren’t you?

C'est pas comme si vous étiez ensemble.

It's not like you two are together.

— Tár (2022)

J'ai cru que vous étiez un homme, d'où les allumettes.

I thought you were a man, hence the matches.

— De tout cœur (1998)

Vous étiez la seule amie de Tom.

You were Tom's only friend.

Vous étiez de face?

Were you facing us?

— Blow Out (1981)

Je ne savais pas que vous étiez si ambitieuse.

I didn’t know you were so ambitious.

Vous savez, pendant un instant, j'ai cru que vous étiez noble.

You know, for a moment, I thought you were a nobleman.

— Nuremberg (2025)

Je savais que vous étiez .

I knew you were there.

Vous étiez toujours très gentil.

You were always very kind.

Vous étiez quand c'est arrivé?

Were you there when it happened?

Vous étiez en train de regarder, n'est-ce pas?

You were watching, weren't you?

Vous étiez attentif.

You were attentive.

— Oh Boy (2012)

Dieu m'avait créé incomplète, et vous étiez un soldat à bout de souffle.

God had created me incomplete, and you were an exhausted soldier.

— Black (2005)

Je croyais que vous étiez très grand.

I thought you were very tall.

— Le Patient anglais (1996)

Vous étiez très occupées, n'est-ce pas?

You were very busy, weren't you?

Vous étiez nés.

You were born.

— Mon cœur est déjà pris (1999)

Vous étiez heureuses, non?

You were happy, weren't you?

Vous étiez bonne.

You were good.

— La Vie des autres (2006)

Et si vous étiez blessé?

What if you were injured?

— Andhadhun (2018)

Ainsi, vous étiez celui qui était derrière ça!

So, you were the one behind it!

Si vous étiez infecté pendant l'expérience, tout serait perdu.

If you were infected during the experiment, everything would be lost.

— Thirst, ceci est mon sang (2009)

Vous étiez à côté de moi.

You were next to me.

— Parle avec elle (2002)

Vous étiez proches?

Were you close?

— Wake Up Dead Man : Une histoire à couteaux tirés (2025)

Vous étiez ivre, pas vrai?

You were drunk, weren’t you?

Vous étiez complètement surveillé.

You were under constant surveillance.

— La Vie des autres (2006)

J'ignorais que vous étiez éveillé.

I didn't know you were awake.

J'ai simplement pensé que vous étiez heureux.

I simply thought you were happy.

On m'a dit que vous étiez .

I was told you were here.

Nos petits-enfants seront ravis de voir comme vous étiez jolie.

Our grandchildren will be delighted to see how pretty you were.

— Rebecca (1940)

Comment en être sûr, si vous étiez inconscient?

How could you be sure if you were unconscious?

— Une bataille après l'autre (2025)

Vous étiez souvent énervé?

Were you often angry?

— Pour l'éternité (2025)

J'espérais que vous étiez éveillé.

I was hoping you were awake.

Vous avez dit que vous étiez occupée.

You said you were busy.

Vous étiez jeunes.

You were young.

Je sais que vous étiez chez David Ortiz.

I know you were at David Ortiz's.

— Mirage (2018)

Vous étiez dans les secrets de l'ennemi.

You were privy to the enemy's secrets.

— Le Seigneur des anneaux : Le Retour du roi (2003)

Je ne savais pas que vous étiez psychiatre.

I didn’t know you were a psychiatrist.

— Suspiria (1977)

Friedrich dit que vous étiez un dangereux criminel, et maintenant?

Friedrich says you were a dangerous criminal—and now?

— Les Faussaires (2007)

Ces derniers temps, il a même cru que vous étiez contre lui.

Lately, he even thought you were against him.

— La Chute (2004)

Je savais que vous étiez contre.

I knew you were against it.

Vous étiez terrifié, n'est-ce pas?

You were terrified, weren't you?

C'est Tom qui m'a dit que vous étiez malades.

It was Tom who told me that you were sick.

Un homme qui cherchait à vous rencontrer est venu pendant que vous étiez sorti.

A man who was looking to meet you came by while you were out.

Vous étiez jeudi dernier.

You were here last Thursday.

— Fight Club (1999)

Dites-moi où vous étiez hier soir à l'heure de l'assassinat.

Tell me where you were last night at the time of the murder.

Vous étiez en retard.

You were late.

Vous étiez amis?

Were you friends?

Ne faites pas comme si vous étiez surprise.

Don’t act as if you’re surprised.

Vous étiez très beau gars.

You were a very handsome guy.

— Solaris (1972)

Vous étiez malades.

You were sick.

Dites-moi pourquoi vous étiez absente de l'école hier.

Tell me why you were absent from school yesterday.

Je n'ai pas dit que vous étiez fou.

I didn't say you were crazy.

Vous étiez fantastiques.

You were fantastic.

Vous étiez avec qui?

Who were you with?

— La Plateforme (2019)

Tu as dit que vous étiez heureuses.

You said you were happy.

Vous étiez un peu en retard.

You were a little late.

J'ai entendu dire que vous étiez le meilleur.

I heard you were the best.

Il m'a donné ça en demandant qu'à sa mort, je vous le donne si vous étiez prêt.

He gave me this, asking me to give it to you upon his death if you were ready.

— Atlantide, l'empire perdu (2001)

Vous étiez pas au courant?

Weren't you aware?

— L'Ultime Héritier (2026)

Tom m'a dit que vous étiez à Boston.

Tom told me you were in Boston.

Vous étiez inutiles.

You were useless.

Dès que je vous ai vu, je savais que vous étiez un homme bien.

As soon as I saw you, I knew you were a good man.

— Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

Qui est l'homme auquel vous étiez en train de parler?

Who is the man you were talking to?

Vous étiez combien au bord de la mer?

How many of you were there at the seaside?

— Une Affaire de famille (2018)

Je sais où vous étiez hier soir.

I know where you were last night.

J'ignorais que vous étiez aussi bons en français.

I had no idea you were so good at French.

Vous étiez sincèrement heureux.

You were sincerely happy.

— Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (2007)

Je ne savais pas vous étiez.

I didn't know where you were.

— Tár (2022)

Vous avez dit que vous étiez heureuses.

You said you were happy.

Vous étiez jaloux de moi.

You were jealous of me.

Tom a dit que vous étiez à Boston.

Tom said you were in Boston.

Vous étiez dans le quartier?

Were you in the neighborhood?

— Rushmore (1998)

Quel était votre livre préféré quand vous étiez enfant?

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

J'avais pas le choix, vous étiez inconscient.

I had no choice; you were unconscious.

— Old Boy (2003)

Je n'ai pas pensé que vous étiez chez vous.

I didn’t think you were home.

Vous étiez sur le lieu du crime!

You were at the scene of the crime!

— Harry Potter et la Coupe de feu (2005)

Vous étiez le premier sur les lieux?

Were you the first on the scene?

Vous étiez déjà au courant, n'est-ce pas?

You were already aware, weren’t you?

Vous pouviez compter jusqu'à dix lorsque vous étiez deux.

You could count to ten when you were two.

Je ne savais pas que vous étiez si fatiguées.

I didn’t know you were so tired.

J'ai pensé que vous étiez sérieuses.

I thought you were serious.

Je croyais que vous étiez chercheur d'or.

I thought you were a gold prospector.

— Manon des sources (1986)

Et vous étiez malade.

And you were sick.

— Rebecca (1940)

Vous étiez tous au Manchukuo.

You were all in Manchukuo.

— Le Dernier Empereur (1987)

Le commandant m'a dit que vous étiez bien.

The commander told me that you were well.

— Amours chiennes (2000)

Je sais avec qui vous étiez.

I know who you were with.

Vous étiez .

You were there.

— La Vague (2008)

Vous étiez enveloppée dans un châle sombre.

You were wrapped in a dark shawl.

— De tout cœur (1998)

Vous étiez au meeting, hier soir.

You were at the meeting last night.

— Adieu ma concubine (1993)

Et elle vous a certainement fait du tort car vous étiez fiancés.

And she certainly hurt you because you were engaged.

— Henry V (1989)

Je ne pouvais dire si vous étiez en colère ou pas.

I couldn't tell whether you were angry or not.

Vous étiez un ami.

You were a friend.

— Nuremberg (2025)

Vous étiez , enfoirés?

Where the hell were you, you bastards?

— La Plateforme (2019)

Je ne pensais pas que vous étiez si vieille.

I didn't think you were that old.

Vous étiez incompétent.

You were incompetent.

Vous étiez ceux qui ont changé Tetsuo aussi, n'est-ce pas?

You were the ones who changed Tetsuo too, weren't you?

— Akira (1988)

Désolée, je n'avais pas réalisé vous étiez si proches tous les deux.

Sorry, I hadn’t realized you two were so close.

— Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

On avait entendu dire que vous étiez dans la vallée.

We had heard that you were in the valley.

— Le Hobbit : Un voyage inattendu (2012)

Si vous étiez souvent énervé dans la vie, vous le serez dans la mort.

If you were often angry in life, you will be angry in death.

— Pour l'éternité (2025)

Vous étiez seuls, à ce moment-là, n'est-ce pas?

You were alone at that moment, weren't you?

Vous étiez jalouses, n'est-ce pas?

You were jealous, weren't you?

Vous étiez dans l'ascenseur avec ce truc?

Were you in the elevator with that thing?

— Cold Storage (2026)

Vous souvenez-vous de ce que vous étiez en train de regarder?

Do you remember what you were watching?

Le barman m'a dit que vous étiez un habitué ici.

The bartender told me that you’re a regular here.

Mais vous étiez occupé à faire de l'œil à Madge.

But you were busy flirting with Madge.

— Picnic (1955)

Je n'ai pas pris conscience que vous étiez éveillés.

I didn't realize you were awake.

On m'a dit que vous étiez sympas.

I was told you were nice.

— Pixote, la loi du plus faible (1980)

Mais en réalité, vous étiez juste m'enfermer jusqu'à ma mort.

But in reality, you were just going to lock me up until I died.

— Ne Zha (2019)

Vous étiez super.

You were great.

Vous étiez le meilleur.

You were the best.

— Interstellar (2014)

Pourquoi ne m'avez-vous pas dit que vous étiez malade?

Why didn't you tell me you were sick?

Vous étiez derrière ça.

You were behind this.

J'étais votre nourrice quand vous étiez enfant.

I was your nursemaid when you were a child.

Je ne savais pas que vous étiez si bon en français.

I didn't know you were so good at French.

vous étiez passés?

Where had you been?

Vous étiez toujours très gentille.

You were always very kind.

Vous étiez souvent?

Were you there often?

— Les Invasions barbares (2003)

Vous étiez encore dans cette église?

Were you still in that church?

— Léviathan (2014)

Vous étiez au courant de nos rencontres dans la maisonnette.

You were aware of our meetings in the cottage.

— Rebecca (1940)

Vous étiez très occupés, n'est-ce pas?

You were very busy, weren't you?

Vous étiez occupé à obtenir votre diplôme à distance tout en travaillant.

You were busy getting your degree remotely while working.

— Aucun autre choix (2025)

Vous étiez heureux, sans la fortune et sans l'héritage.

You were happy, without wealth or an inheritance.

— L'Ultime Héritier (2026)

Vous étiez bonnes.

You were good.

Et si vous étiez de mèche?

What if you were in on it together?

— Heureux comme Lazzaro (2018)

Si vous étiez lui, oui.

If you were him, yes.

— Il est de retour (2015)

Vous étiez à la gare.

You were at the station.

Vous ne m'avez pas dit que vous étiez oncle et nièce.

You didn't tell me that you were uncle and niece.

— Les Enfants du temps (2019)

Vous étiez saoul, n'est-ce pas?

You were drunk, weren't you?

Vous étiez ivres, pas vrai?

You were drunk, weren’t you?

Je pensais que ce matin, vous étiez franche.

I thought you were being frank this morning.

— Romance de bureau (1977)

Vous étiez conscient.

You were conscious.

— Avengers (2012)

J'ignorais que vous étiez éveillée.

I didn't know you were awake.

Eh bien, ne faites pas comme si vous étiez la première que l'on ait trompée.

Well, don't act as if you were the first person to be deceived.

— Les Nouveaux Sauvages (2014)

On m'a dit que vous étiez malade.

I was told you were sick.

Elle arrive, et vous étiez ?

She arrives, and you were there?

— Des hommes d'honneur (1992)

Vous étiez soûl, la nuit dernière, n'est-ce pas?

You were drunk last night, weren't you?

J'espérais que vous étiez éveillée.

I was hoping you were awake.

Vous avez dit que vous étiez occupés.

You said you were busy.

Vous étiez l'amie de mon mari?

Were you my husband's friend?

— Trois couleurs : Bleu (1993)

Je sais que vous étiez proches.

I know you were close.

Vous étiez dans mon rêve.

You were in my dream.

Je ne savais pas que vous étiez riche.

I didn’t know you were rich.

Je savais que vous étiez derrière ça.

I knew you were behind this.

Vous étiez terrifiés, n'est-ce pas?

You were terrified, weren't you?

Où est-ce que vous étiez?

Where were you?

— Troupe d'Élite (2007)

Vous étiez pendant que je dormais?

Were you there while I was sleeping?

— L’Enfance d’Ivan (1962)

Mon cher Trotwood, on m'a dit que vous étiez ici.

My dear Trotwood, I was told you were here.

— L'Histoire personnelle de David Copperfield (2019)

Vous étiez en sueur.

You were sweating.

Vous étiez amoureux quand vous étiez jeunes?

Were you in love when you were young?

— Les Visiteurs (1993)

Il est venu le jour où vous étiez à Londres.

He came on the day you were in London.

— Rebecca (1940)

On vous aurait tenu au courant même si vous étiez chez vous.

We would have kept you informed even if you were at home.

— J'ai rencontré le Diable (2010)

Vous étiez très désirable, n'est-ce pas?

You were very desirable, weren't you?

Oui, vous étiez la dernière personne de ma tournée.

Yes, you were the last person on my tour.

Une des personnes avec qui vous étiez est un ami à moi.

One of the people you were with is a friend of mine.

Vous étiez marié, vous.

You were married, weren't you?

— Les Invasions barbares (2003)

Dites-moi pourquoi vous étiez absentes de l'école hier.

Tell me why you were absent from school yesterday.

Je n'ai pas dit que vous étiez fous.

I didn't say you were crazy.

Vous étiez fortiche.

You were very good.

— Voyage à Tokyo (1953)

Ils ont demandé qui vous étiez?

They asked who you were.

— In the Mood for Love (2000)

Je croyais que c'était un accident de cheval quand vous étiez à Médrano.

I thought it was a horseback-riding accident when you were at Médrano.

— Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)

phrase Uncommon #18,003
you were Imperfect form of être for formal singular you or plural you.
FR: Vous étiez très gentils hier soir.
EN: You were very kind last night.

Je pensais que vous étiez partis.

I thought you had left.

Si vous étiez restées ici, vous vous seriez beaucoup amusées.

If you had stayed here, you would have had a lot of fun.

Il y a trois ou quatre mois, vous étiez partie en voyage.

Three or four months ago, you went on a trip.

— Aquarius (2016)

Je me demandais où vous étiez allée.

I was wondering where you went.

Je pensais que vous étiez parti.

I thought you were gone.

Je ne savais pas que vous étiez venu.

I didn't know you had come.

Je croyais que vous étiez partie.

I thought you left.

Je pensais que vous étiez allée chez vous.

I thought you went home.

Paul a dit que vous étiez parti.

Paul said that you had left.

— Black (2005)

Je me demandais où vous étiez allées.

I was wondering where you had gone.

Je pensais que vous étiez partie.

I thought you had left.

Désolé, vous étiez en train de manger?

Sorry, were you eating?

— Parasite (2019)

Je croyais que vous étiez partis.

I thought you were gone.

Je pensais que vous étiez allés chez vous.

I thought you went home.

Je pensais que vous étiez parties.

I thought you had left.

Et à quel genre de sabotage vous étiez encore commis?

And what kind of sabotage were you involved in now?

— Le repentir (1987)

On m'a dit que vous étiez parti.

I was told you left.

Vous étiez sorti et je l'ai gardé.

You had gone out, and I kept it.

— Le Vent se lève (2013)

Que vous étiez conçu dans l'unique but de tomber amoureux d'elle?

That you were designed for the sole purpose of falling in love with her?

— Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Je voulais seulement savoir si vous vous étiez remis du voyage.

I just wanted to know if you had recovered from the trip.

— Conclave (2024)

Vous vous étiez fait mal.

You had hurt yourself.

— Chungking Express (1994)