Bonjour, comment vas-tu ?
The English phrase "good morning, how are you doing?" is translated into French as Bonjour, comment vas-tu ?
This phrase is a friendly morning greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being. The first part, Bonjour, is used for both "Good morning" and "Good afternoon" until the sun begins to set. While Bonjour is the standard greeting, you might also use Salut if you mean "Hi" or "Hey".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Bonjour (good day), comment (how), vas (go/are going) and tu (you, informal).
Which one should you use?
The version Bonjour, comment vas-tu ? is the informal way to ask the question. You should use Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? instead when you are speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people.
When do people say it?
A common natural response to this greeting is Ça va bien, merci followed by Et toi ? in informal settings or Et vous ? in formal settings.
Did you know?
- If you enter a French bakery and skip the Bonjour before asking for a croissant, you might be seen as incredibly rude. It is a mandatory social ritual to acknowledge the shopkeeper before any transaction begins.
- The phrase Ça va is a linguistic anomaly that can serve as the question, the answer and the statement of well-being simultaneously.
- French speakers express their current state of being using the verb aller, which means 'to go', instead of a verb meaning 'to be'.
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo meet at a cafe in the morning.
- EmmaBonjour, comment vas-tu ?Good morning, how are you doing?
- HugoJe vais bien, merci. Et toi ?I am doing well, thank you. And you?
- EmmaÇa va très bien, merci Hugo.I am doing very well, thank you Hugo.
- HugoC'est super !That's great!
