passé simple

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