How to Say ‘I thought...’ in French
Je pensais que...
zhuh pahn-say kuh
[zhuh pahn-say kuh]
Phrase Breakdown
Je pensais
zhuh pahn-say
I was thinking / I thought
Imperfect tense, often used for a past thought, background idea, or ongoing mental state.
Je pensais à toi.
I was thinking about you.
Words in this phrase
Je
[zhuh]
I
First-person singular subject pronoun.
Je pensais que cette route était plus rapide.
I thought this route was faster.
pensais
[pahn-say]
thought / was thinking
Imperfect form expressing a past belief or thought.
Je pensais que le trajet serait plus court.
I thought the trip would be shorter.
Que...
kuh
That...
Introduces a subordinate clause after a verb of thinking or saying.
Je pensais que tu venais.
I thought that you were coming.
Words in this phrase
que
[kuh]
that
Connects the verb to the following idea or clause.
Je pensais que l'autre route était meilleure.
I thought the other route was better.
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