il ne fallait pas: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  FranceFrancophoneneutral
  • You should not have; an admonition indicating that an action ought not to have been performed.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Tu as vraiment préparé tout ça pour moi ? Il ne fallait pas !

    You really prepared all this for me? You shouldn't have!

  • Quand j'ai reçu le cadeau, j'ai pensé immédiatement : 'Il ne fallait pas, c'est trop gentil.'

    When I received the gift, I immediately thought: 'You shouldn't have, that's too kind.'

  • Il ne fallait pas me déranger pour si peu, la prochaine fois, laisse-moi tranquille.

    You shouldn't have disturbed me for so little; next time, leave me alone.

• 2.

  FranceFrancophonepoliteneutral
  • A polite expression used on receiving a gift to downplay obligation and express appreciation, equivalent to 'you shouldn't have' said warmly.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Merci pour ces fleurs, il ne fallait pas, c'est vraiment adorable de ta part.

    Thank you for these flowers, you shouldn't have, that's really sweet of you.

  • Oh, tu m'as acheté ce livre ? Il ne fallait pas, vraiment, je suis touché(e).

    Oh, you bought me this book? You shouldn't have, really, I'm touched.

  • Elle a reçu le compliment avec un sourire en disant : 'Il ne fallait pas, mais j'apprécie beaucoup.'

    She received the compliment with a smile saying: 'You shouldn't have, but I appreciate it a lot.'