comment vas-tu ce matin ?
In French, 'how are you this morning?' is expressed as comment vas-tu ce matin ?
This phrase is a greeting used to ask someone about their well-being during the early part of the day.
Which one should you use?
The default form is used for individuals you know well, whereas comment allez-vous ce matin ? is used when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people. For a different nuance, Comment vous sentez-vous ce matin? specifically means 'How are you feeling this morning?' In informal settings, you might also use Ça va ce matin? to mean 'Are you doing well this morning?' or Comment ça se passe ce matin? to ask 'How is it going this morning?'
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form comment vas-tu ce matin ? uses the informal 'tu' and is appropriate for friends, family or peers.
When do people say it?
When someone asks you this, a common response is Ça va bien, merci. Et toi ? (It's going well, thanks. And you?).
Did you know?
- While 'how are you' is a standard greeting, asking about someone's well-being specifically in the 'morning' can feel unusually intense in French. It often implies you are asking about their physical health or energy levels rather than just a polite greeting.
- The word matin is linked to Matuta, the Roman goddess of the morning and dawn. This connection to ancient mythology is hidden within the common word for 'morning'.
- Despite meaning 'how are you', the verb vas in comment vas-tu literally means 'go', treating well-being as a movement or a journey.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, Monsieur Dupont. Comment allez-vous ce matin?Good morning, Mr. Dupont. How are you this morning?
- Madame, comment vous sentez-vous ce matin?Madam, how are you feeling this morning?
- Salut Lucas! Ça va ce matin?Hi Lucas! Are you doing well this morning?
- Hey Sophie, comment ça se passe ce matin?Hey Sophie, how is it going this morning?
- Dis-moi, comment vas-tu ce matin ?Tell me, how are you this morning?
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma meet in the kitchen while having breakfast.
- LucasBonjour Emma, comment vas-tu ce matin ?Hello Emma, how are you this morning?
- EmmaJe vais très bien, merci Lucas.I am doing very well, thanks Lucas.
- LucasTu as bien dormi ?Did you sleep well?
- EmmaOui, j'ai dormi comme un bébé.Yes, I slept like a baby.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ce, comment, matin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
