Learn French: Nous allions chercher un distributeur, mais nous nous sommes perdus. - We were going to look for an ATM, but we got lost.

Nous allions chercher un distributeur, mais nous nous sommes perdus.

We were going to look for an ATM, but we got lost.

Breakdown of Nous allions chercher un distributeur, mais nous nous sommes perdus.

we / us (object pronoun)

Questions & Answers about Nous allions chercher un distributeur, mais nous nous sommes perdus.

Why do we use the imparfait for allions here?

This sentence expresses an unfulfilled past intention. By using the imparfait allions (we were going) followed by the infinitive chercher (to look for), it sets the stage for an action you planned to do before something else interrupted it.

Why is there no word for "for" after chercher?

In French, the verb chercher already means "to look for" or "to seek." Adding a preposition like pour after it is a common mistake for English speakers. You just attach the object directly: chercher un distributeur.

Why does the sentence use nous nous sommes perdus instead of nous avons perdu?

To say "to get lost", French uses the reflexive verb se perdre. In the passé composé, all reflexive verbs use the helper verb être (hence sommes). Because it uses être, the past participle agrees with the plural subject nous, which is why perdu gets an "s" at the end. The extra nous is the reflexive pronoun "ourselves".

Does distributeur always mean "ATM"?

Here, it is short for distributeur automatique de billets (often called a DAB in France). However, depending on the context, un distributeur can also mean a vending machine or a generic dispenser.