Simple past:
* Je savais: This is the most straightforward translation of "I knew." It's used for a general statement about knowledge in the past.
* Example: "Je savais qu'il pleuvrait." (I knew it would rain.)
Past perfect:
* J'avais su: This translates to "I had known" and implies that the knowledge was acquired before another past action.
* Example: "J'avais su qu'il partait avant qu'il ne me le dise." (I had known he was leaving before he told me.)
Imperfect:
* Je savais: This can also be used in the imperfect tense to indicate ongoing knowledge in the past.
* Example: "Je savais que tu aimais le chocolat." (I knew that you liked chocolate.)
More nuanced expressions:
* Je me suis rendu compte que...: "I realized that..." This implies a sudden awareness or understanding.
* Example: "Je me suis rendu compte que j'avais tort." (I realized that I was wrong.)
* J'ai compris que...: "I understood that..." This implies a comprehension of something that was not previously clear.
* Example: "J'ai compris que tu étais fâché." (I understood that you were angry.)
Choosing the right translation:
The best way to choose the right translation of "I knew" is to consider the context and the meaning you want to convey. For example, if you're talking about a general fact that you knew in the past, "je savais" is the best choice. If you're talking about a sudden realization, "je me suis rendu compte" would be more appropriate.