What does it mean word for word?
The part ça va literally translates to "it goes" or "it is going".
Which one should you use?
While Salut, ça va ? is informal, Comment allez-vous ? is the formal version used with strangers or superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Salut, ça va ? is an informal way to greet someone and is best used with friends, family or peers. In contrast, Bonjour, comment allez-vous ? is the most common way to greet someone formally in French.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Ça va can function as both a question ("How are you?") and a complete answer ("I am fine/It is going well").
When do people say it?
When someone asks Ça va ?, a common response is Ça va, et toi ? (It's going well and you?). Other common informal replies include Ça va bien, merci. Et toi ? (I'm good, thank you. And you?) and the upbeat response Super, merci. Et toi ? (Great, thanks. And you?).
Did you know?
- While Salut is a common way to say 'hi', it is also used in French to say 'bye', making it a two-way greeting.
- The word salut shares a common ancestor with the English word 'whole', as both trace back to a root meaning 'to be whole or healthy'.
- The phrase ça roule ? literally refers to wheels rolling, making it the French equivalent of asking 'How's it rolling?'
Examples in context
- Salut, ça va ? Tu as passé une bonne journée ?Hi, how are you? Did you have a good day?
- Salut, ça va ? Merci de m'avoir appelé.Hi, how are you? Thanks for calling me.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan meet at a cafe.
- EmmaSalut, ça va ?Hi, how are you?
- NathanÇa va bien, et toi ?I'm doing well, and you?
- EmmaÇa va très bien, merci.I'm doing very well, thanks.
- NathanC'est super !That's great!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries salut, va, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
