Definition and Usage
The imparfait is a French past tense used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, background information, habitual actions, or physical and emotional states. It contrasts with the passé composé, which expresses completed actions.
It is often translated into English as "was/were doing" or "used to do".
Quand j'étais enfant, je jouais au parc tous les jours.
Kahn zhe-teh ahn-fahn, zhuh zhoo-ay oh park too lay zhoor.
When I was a child, I used to play in the park every day.
Formation of the Imparfait
To form the imparfait, start with the first person plural (nous) form of the present tense, remove the -ons ending, and add the imparfait endings:
| Subject | Ending |
|---|---|
| je | -ais |
| tu | -ais |
| il/elle/on | -ait |
| nous | -ions |
| vous | -iez |
| ils/elles | -aient |
For example, with the verb parler (to speak):
| Subject | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| je | parlais |
| tu | parlais |
| il/elle/on | parlait |
| nous | parlions |
| vous | parliez |
| ils/elles | parlaient |
Irregular Verbs in the Imparfait
Most verbs follow the regular formation rule. However, the verb être is irregular in the imparfait. Its stem is ét-, and it takes the standard imparfait endings.
| Subject | Conjugation of être |
|---|---|
| je | étais |
| tu | étais |
| il/elle/on | était |
| nous | étions |
| vous | étiez |
| ils/elles | étaient |
Quand j'étais à l'école, je lisais beaucoup.
Kahn zhe-teh ah lay-kol, zhuh lee-zay boo-koo.
When I was at school, I used to read a lot.
Common Examples of Imparfait Usage
The imparfait is used in several common situations:
- Habitual actions: Actions repeated over time in the past.
- Descriptions: Physical or mental states, weather, time, or setting the scene.
- Ongoing past actions: Actions in progress when another event occurred.
Il pleuvait souvent le dimanche.
Eel pluh-vay soo-vahn luh dee-mahnsh.
It used to rain often on Sundays.
Elle était très heureuse ce jour-là.
El eh-teh trayz uh-ruh-zuh suh zhoor-la.
She was very happy that day.
Nous regardions la télévision quand tu as appelé.
Noo ruh-gar-dee-on la tay-lay-vee-zyon kawn tyu ah zah-play.
We were watching television when you called.
Imparfait vs Passé Composé
It is important to distinguish between the imparfait and the passé composé, as both describe past actions but in different ways.
- Imparfait: Describes ongoing, habitual, or background actions.
- Passé Composé: Describes completed, specific events or actions.
Je lisais quand il est arrivé.
Zhuh lee-zay kawn eel eh-tah-ree-vay.
I was reading when he arrived.
Hier, j'ai mangé une pomme.
Yair, zhay mahn-zhay uhn pom.
Yesterday, I ate an apple.
Practice Examples
Try to identify the use of the imparfait in the following sentences and translate them:
Tu regardais souvent ce film quand tu étais petit.
Tü ruh-gar-day soo-vahn suh film kawn tü eh-teh puh-tee.
You often watched this movie when you were little.
Ils jouaient dans le jardin tous les après-midis.
Eel zhoo-ay dahn luh zhar-dahn too lay zah-pray mee-dee.
They played in the garden every afternoon.
La maison était grande et lumineuse.
La may-zon eh-teh grahnd ay loo-mee-nuhz.
The house was big and bright.
Tips for Remembering Rules
- Always start with the nous form in present tense to find the stem.
- Remember être is the only verb with an irregular stem: ét-.
- Use the imparfait for descriptions, habitual actions, and ongoing past events.
- Practice by comparing sentences in imparfait and passé composé to understand their different uses.
- Pronounce the endings softly; many imparfait forms end with silent letters.