How to Say “Went” in French
When it comes to learning French, one of the fundamental aspects of the language is mastering the past tense. One common word that often comes up is “went,” which is used to describe a past action. Whether you’re traveling, recounting a story, or simply expressing a past event, knowing how to say “went” in French is essential. In this article, we will explore different ways to express “went” in French, including its verb conjugations and sentence structures.
First and foremost, it’s important to note that “went” is not a standalone word in French. Instead, it is part of a verb conjugation that varies depending on the subject. To express “went” in French, you will need to use the appropriate form of the verb “aller” (to go) in the past tense. The conjugation of “aller” in the passé composé (past compound tense) is as follows:
- Je suis allé(e) (I went) – for masculine and feminine singular subjects
- Vous êtes allé(e) (You went) – for singular subjects
- Il/Elle/On est allé(e) (He/She/It went) – for masculine and feminine singular subjects
- Nous sommes allés(ees) (We went) – for plural subjects
- Vous êtes allés(ees) (You all went) – for plural subjects
- Ils/Elles sont allés(ees) (They went) – for plural subjects
When using these conjugations, make sure to use the correct gender and number for the subject. For example, if you want to say “I went,” you would use “Je suis allé(e).” If you are referring to a group of people, such as “They went,” you would use “Ils/Elles sont allés(ees).” It’s important to remember that “aller” is an irregular verb, which means its past participle “allé” changes its ending based on the gender and number of the subject.
Now that you know the conjugations, let’s look at some examples of how to use “went” in French:
- Je suis allé(e) au cinéma hier soir. (I went to the cinema last night.)
- Vous êtes allé(e) en France l’été dernier. (You went to France last summer.)
- Il est allé(e) voir son ami à Paris. (He/She went to see his/her friend in Paris.)
- Nous sommes allés(ees) à la plage en famille. (We went to the beach as a family.)
- Vous êtes allés(ees) à l’école aujourd’hui? (Did you go to school today?)
- Ils/Elles sont allés(ees) au restaurant ce week-end. (They went to the restaurant this weekend.)
By incorporating these conjugations and sentence structures into your French vocabulary, you’ll be able to express “went” in a wide range of contexts. Whether you’re conversing with a native speaker or simply enjoying a French novel, knowing how to say “went” in French will undoubtedly enhance your language skills and allow you to share your past experiences with greater ease.
