Patf Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Can someone tell me how to say in french "I should not have done" something? Or "I should never have done "something.I think it probably involves the subjunctive or some verb like falloir which I've never learnt.Don't ask what offence I've comitted [:)] - pas grave (I hope.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 I don't feel the subjunctive is needed and would say :Je n'aurais pas dû faire + whatever it is you shouldn't have done.Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 Thanks sue - I'll try to compose the message now.Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew44 Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Conditional, not subjunctive.Je n'aurais pas dû...Je n'aurais jamais dû...@+Andrew44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 You two beat me to it!It doesn't really fit with my understanding of the conditionnel but thats how it is said. Maybe the conditional part is the unsaid, "I would never have done it" .................................(had I known) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivienz Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 I always have a version of the specsavers advert kicking around in my headJ'aurais du aller a Specsavers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Another useful formula is :"Je n'aurais pas pu..." -- I wouldn't have been able to..."Je n'aurais pas pu payer l'addition si mon ami ne m'avait pas donné de l'argent"Je n'aurais pas dû..." -- I shouldn't have..."Je n'aurais pas dû donner de l'argent à mon ami parce qu'il l'a tout employé pour aller au restaurant."In speech one often hears them without the n' J'aurais pas dû.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 Thanks to all - it turned out to be one of the usual misunderstandings because of the language problems. Wouldn't you think misunderstanding would be 'malcompris'? But no, it's 'malentendu' = badly heard?All friends again now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 You can use mal compris to say that I/he/they misunderstood but a misunderstanding is a malentendu which kind of makes sense when you think of what is the root cause of most misunderstandings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nectarine Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 gosh this is such a useful posting, thanks to all contributors. I've got these phrases in my head now ready for when / if I need then .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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