arrivait
/a.ʁi.vɛ/arriver
1.
verbIndicative1stImperfectSing3
was arriving
was coming
happened
À l'époque, le train arrivait toujours en retard.
Back then, the train was always arriving late.
Synonyms:venir, se produire, survenir
2.
verbIndicative1stImperfectSing3
managed to
was able to (or not, in negative contexts)
Il n'arrivait pas à ouvrir la porte.
He couldn't manage to open the door.
Synonyms:réussir à, parvenir à
