What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Comment se passe ta journée ? translates to "How is your day passing?"
Which one should you use?
While Comment se passe ta journée ? focuses on the progression or flow of the day, Comment va ta journée ? is a slightly more direct way to ask how the day is going.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use the informal structure Ça se passe bien, ta journée ? in casual conversation. For formal situations, such as when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use Comment se passe votre journée ? instead of Comment se passe ta journée ?
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use votre journée instead of ta journée to maintain proper formal or plural agreement.
When do people say it?
A common natural response to this question is Ça se passe bien, merci (It is going well, thank you).
Did you know?
- In France, if you ask Comment se passe ta journée ? and the person is stressed, they might answer with C'est la galère, which literally means 'it is the galley'.
- The word journée comes from the Vulgar Latin diurnāta, which originally referred to the amount of work one could do in a single day.
- The verb se passer in this context behaves like a reflexive action, which is why it literally translates to the day 'passing itself'. This gives the phrase a more passive, flowing feeling than the English 'is going'.
Examples in context
- Dis-moi, comment se passe ta journée ?Tell me, how is your day going?
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are chatting via text message in the afternoon.
- HugoSalut Léa, comment se passe ta journée ?Hi Léa, how is your day going?
- LéaElle se passe très bien, merci !It is going very well, thanks!
- HugoJe suis content pour toi.I am happy for you.
- LéaEt toi, Hugo, ça va ?And you, Hugo, is it going well?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, journée, se, ta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
