What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'hello, how go you today?' because the verb aller (to go) is used in French to express a person's state of being or health.
Which one should you use?
The phrase comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ? uses the vous form, which makes the greeting appropriate for strangers, elders or groups of people. In contrast, for a friend or someone you know well, you would use the informal comment vas-tu aujourd'hui ?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you may hear Bonjour, ça va-tu? instead of the standard Bonjour, ça va?
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to a friend or someone you know well, you should use the informal tu form instead of the formal vous form, resulting in comment vas-tu aujourd'hui ?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you this, a common polite response is Je vais bien, merci. Et vous ? (I am doing well, thank you. And you?).
Did you know?
- The word aujourd'hui is a linguistic-scale jigsaw puzzle. It is a combination of four separate words: au, jour, de, and the archaic hui, which is a survivor from the Latin word 'hodie'.
- While bonjour means 'good day', it is rarely used after 6 PM. At that point, speakers switch to bonsoir to reflect the evening.
- In France, asking comment allez-vous ? can sometimes be interpreted as a genuine inquiry into someone's health rather than a casual greeting.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ? Tout va bien ?Hello, how are you doing today? Is everything well?
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo meet at a professional conference.
- ManonBonjour, comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ?Hello, how are you doing today?
- HugoJe vais très bien, merci. Et vous ?I am doing very well, thank you. And you?
- ManonJe vais bien aussi, merci Hugo.I am doing well too, thank you Hugo.
- HugoC'est un plaisir de vous voir, Manon.It is a pleasure to see you, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aujourd'hui, bonjour, comment, CC BY-SA 4.0.
