Ça va ?
casual, friends
With a friend the simplest way to ask is Ça va ? It is short, relaxed and used all day long. It is also called Tu vas bien ? and Comment ça va ?
Meaning: question about well-being (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Ça va ? | casual, friends |
| Tu vas bien ? | neutral |
| Comment ça va ? | common |
The usual answer is Ça va or Ça va bien, et toi ? For a fuller question say Tu vas bien ? or Comment vas-tu ?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
With a friend use tu and toi. The formal Comment allez-vous ? is for people you address as vous.
How do you pronounce it?
Ça va is pronounced "sah vah".
Did you know?
- In everyday French ça va works as both the question and the answer, so two friends can open a chat with just those two words.
Examples in context
- Salut, ça va ?Hi, how are you?
- Tu vas bien depuis la dernière fois ?Have you been well since last time?
Example conversation
Maxime bumps into his friend Lola in front of the cinema.
- MaximeSalut, Lola ! Ça va ?Hi, Lola! How are you?
- LolaÇa va bien, et toi ?Fine, and you?
- MaximePas mal, merci.Not bad, thanks.
- LolaTu viens voir le film ?Are you coming to see the film?
