comment allez-vous
/kɔ.mɑ̃.t‿a.le.vu/
comment allez-vous is the French way to say how are you to an adult.
This phrase is used as a formal greeting to ask an adult about their well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to how go you.
Which one should you use?
While comment allez-vous is used for adults or groups, Comment vas-tu ? is the informal version used with friends or children. For a more nuanced and formal way to ask how someone is doing, you can use Comment vous portez-vous?
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ.mɑ̃.t‿a.le.vu/. It has 5 syllables.
When do people say it?
A common and polite response to this greeting is Je vais bien, merci (I am doing well, thank you).
Did you know?
- In some highly formal contexts, you might use comment vous portez-vous, which literally asks how you are 'carrying' yourself. This reflects an old-fashioned view of health as something a person carries physically.
- While comment allez-vous is the textbook formal greeting, many French speakers replace it entirely with ça va in daily life. This short phrase uniquely functions as both the question and the answer.
- The formal vous used in comment allez-vous is the same word used to address a group of friends. This means the same phrase can be used for one respected adult or a room full of children.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, Monsieur Dupont. Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui?Good morning, Mr. Dupont. How are you today?
- Madame, comment vous portez-vous depuis la dernière fois que nous nous sommes vus?Madam, how have you been since the last time we saw each other?
- Bonjour, monsieur. Comment se passe votre journée jusqu'à présent?Good day, sir. How is your day going so far?
- Salut, Marie. Comment ça va aujourd'hui?Hi, Marie. How's it going today?
- Salut Paul. Ça va bien depuis qu'on s'est vu la dernière fois?Hey Paul. You doing well since we last saw each other?
- Comment allez-vous ce matin ?How are you this morning?
- Bonjour Madame, comment allez-vous ?Hello Madam, how are you?
Example conversation
Gabriel meets Chloé, his boss, at the office.
- GabrielBonjour Chloé, comment allez-vous ?Hello Chloé, how are you?
- ChloéJe vais très bien, merci.I am doing very well, thank you.
- GabrielC'est une bonne nouvelle.That is good news.
- ChloéEt vous, comment allez-vous ?And you, how are you?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry comment allez-vous, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
