я то думал

I thought; I had assumed (often expressing surprise that reality is different from what was expected)

→ я

phrase Rare #45,111

I thought; I had assumed (often expressing surprise that reality is different from what was expected) The standard spelling is usually я-то думал, but the unhyphenated form я то думал is also encountered informally. The particle то emphasizes the speaker’s expectation or assumption.

RU: Я то думал, ты не придешь.

EN: I thought you weren’t going to come.

Я то думал, он хочет сбежать.

I thought he wanted to run away.

— ПиКей (2014)

Я то думал они погибли.

I thought they had died.

— Властелин колец: Две крепости (2002)

Я то думал что в этом городе для тебя ничего невозможного нет.

I thought there was nothing you couldn't do in this city.

— Левиафан (2014)

Я то думал ты не придешь.

I thought you weren’t going to come.

— Славные парни (1990)