passé simple

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French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pa.se sɛ̃pl/ ~ /pɑ.se sɛ̃pl/

Noun

passé simple m (plural passés simples)

  1. (grammar) past historic tense, a tense used in some languages (such as French and Italian) in narrative, roughly equivalent to the simple past or preterite in English
    • 2023, “French Kiss”, performed by Chilly Gonzales:
      Je comprends que je manque de maîtrise / Mais heureusement, j’assume mes bêtises / Votre passé simple n’est pas si simple
      I understand that I lack control / But fortunately, I take responsibility for my mistakes / Your simple past is not so simple