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dovevano essere

were supposed to be

→ dovere
phrase Rare #44,139
were supposed to be The meaning of dovere can vary with context; it can also express that something had to be or must have been a certain way.
IT: Le chiavi dovevano essere sul tavolo.
EN: The keys were supposed to be on the table.

Non dovevano essere leggeri?

Weren’t they supposed to be light?

— Aquarius (2016)

Le dory dovevano essere al sicuro.

The dories had to be safe.

Dovevano essere in due, pensai.

There were supposed to be two of them, I thought.