comment vas-tu ?
In French, "how have you been?" is expressed as comment vas-tu ?
This phrase is a greeting used to ask someone about their well-being since the last time you saw them.
When do people say it?
A common natural response to comment vas-tu ? is Ça va, et toi ?, which means "I'm doing well and you?"
Did you know?
- The verb in comment vas-tu ? is aller, which means 'to go' rather than 'to be'. While English speakers ask how someone 'is', French speakers are literally asking how someone 'is going'.
- If you use the formal Comment allez-vous ? with a close friend, you might actually sound cold or distant. The formal version is reserved for strangers, elders, or professional settings to maintain social distance.
- In some regions, people may respond to comment vas-tu ? with pas mal, meaning 'not bad', which is often used as a modest way to say they are actually doing quite well.
Examples in context
- Bonjour, comment allez-vous? Cela fait longtemps que nous ne nous sommes pas vus.Hello, how have you been? It's been a while since we last saw each other.
- Je voulais prendre de vos nouvelles. Comment vous portez-vous depuis notre dernière rencontre?I wanted to check in on you. How have you been since our last meeting?
- Salut! Comment ça va depuis la dernière fois qu'on s'est vus?Hi! How have you been since the last time we saw each other?
- Bonjour, comment tu vas? Cela fait longtemps qu'on ne s'est pas parlé.Hello, how have you been? It's been a while since we last spoke.
- Ça fait longtemps, comment vas-tu ?It has been a long time, how have you been?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa meet at a cafe after several weeks.
- GabrielLéa, ça fait plaisir de te voir ! Comment vas-tu ?Léa, it's great to see you! How have you been?
- LéaJe vais très bien, merci. Et toi ?I'm doing very well, thanks. And you?
- GabrielTout va bien pour moi aussi.Everything is going well for me too.
- LéaJe suis ravie de l'apprendre.I am delighted to hear that.
