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loro dovevano

had to, were supposed to

→ dovere
dovev must; owe + ano they imperfect
auxiliary · third plural · imperfect indicative Uncommon #9,792
had to, were supposed to Imperfect tense, 3rd person plural (they). Used as an auxiliary with another verb (often in the infinitive).
IT: Dovevano partire presto, ma hanno perso il treno.
EN: They had to leave early, but they missed the train.
Conjugation of dovere
Indicative imperfect
SingularPlural
First dovevo dovevamo
Second dovevi dovevate
Third doveva dovevano

Dovevano arrivare oggi.

They were supposed to arrive today.

— Niente di nuovo sul fronte occidentale (2022)

Dicono che i suoi peccati non dovevano lasciarlo vivere in pace.

They say his sins should not let him live in peace.

— Pentimento (1987)

Dovevano stare lì tutto il giorno?

Were they supposed to stay there all day?

Non dovevano essere leggeri?

Weren't they supposed to be light?

— Aquarius (2016)

Forse dovevano fargli altre domande.

Maybe they should have asked him more questions.

— Mystic River (2003)

In queste terre io ero un principe, tutti dovevano abbassare Io sguardo.

In these lands I was a prince, everyone had to lower their gaze.

— Aguirre, furore di Dio (1972)

Tom e Mary dovevano correre.

Tom and Mary had to run.

Dovevano chiamare me Black Mamba, cazzo.

They should’ve called me Black Mamba, for fuck’s sake.

— Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (2011)

Loro dovevano proteggerti.

They were supposed to protect you.

Dopotutto, dovevano stare loro davanti.

After all, they had to be in front.

— Vite vendute (1953)

Dei tanti che dovevano tradire doveva essere proprio Himmler?

Of the many who had to betray, did it have to be Himmler?

— La caduta - Gli ultimi giorni di Hitler (2004)

Decise che gli uccelli non dovevano stare in gabbia.

He decided that birds should not be kept in cages.

— I Tenenbaum (2001)

Dovevano andare di notte.

They had to go at night.

— Cidade dos Homens (2007)

Dovevano parlare con qualcuno che aveva parlato con Ayrton Senna.

They had to talk to someone who had talked to Ayrton Senna.

— Senna (2010)

Non gli ho detto che dovevano spaccare la faccia agli avversari!

I didn't tell him they had to punch their opponents in the face!

— L'onda (2008)

E non dovevano mangiarmi tutte le noccioline.

And they didn't have to eat all my peanuts.

— Crimini e misfatti (1989)

Tutti dovevano imparare l'inglese.

Everyone had to learn English.

Dovevano cambiare il loro piano.

They had to change their plan.

Tom e Mary si sono scusati per non aver fatto quello che dovevano fare.

Tom and Mary apologized for not doing what they were supposed to do.

Dovevano tornare sulla Terra ma avevano superato il punto di non ritorno.

They were supposed to return to Earth but they had passed the point of no return.

— Un giorno di ordinaria follia (1993)

Loro dovevano prendere una decisione-una decisione immediata.

They had to make a decision – an immediate decision.

Si dovevano sposare lo scorso mese.

They were supposed to get married last month.

Comprai dieci matite, metà delle quali dovevano essere date a mio fratello.

I bought ten pencils, half of which were to be given to my brother.

Non avevano più soldi e dovevano chiedere aiuto ai parenti per andare avanti.

They had no money left and had to ask their relatives for help to get by.

I tuoi non dovevano metterti al mondo.

Your parents should never have brought you into this world.

— Central do Brasil (1998)

Tom e Mary dovevano incontrarci qui.

Tom and Mary were supposed to meet us here.

Dovevano chiedere a te di fare il rinfresco.

They should have asked you to do the refreshments.

— Love Actually - L'amore davvero (2003)

Tutto ciò che dovevano fare era presentarsi in orario.

All they had to do was show up on time.

Aveva ragione lei e tutti dovevano ammetterlo alla fine.

She was right and everyone had to admit it in the end.

Avevano perso il treno delle otto e dovevano aspettare quello delle dieci e mezza.

They had missed the eight o'clock train and had to wait for the ten-thirty one.

Ho comprato dieci matite, metà delle quali dovevano essere date a mio fratello.

I bought ten pencils, half of which were to be given to my brother.

Ma dovevano venire anche oggi?

But were they supposed to come today too?

— Perfect Blue (1998)