they had (done something)
Neanche i giapponesi si erano mai comportati così.
Not even the Japanese had ever behaved like this.
— Addio mia concubina (1993)
No, non potevano competere con me, ma si erano già trasformati in mostri.
No, they were no match for me, but they had already turned into monsters.
— Il castello errante di Howl (2004)
Probabilmente stavano leggendo o si erano addormentati.
They were probably reading or falling asleep.
— Die My Love (2025)