¿cómo va todo?
How is everything going? In Spanish is translated as ¿cómo va todo?
The phrase ¿cómo va todo? is a friendly greeting used to ask someone about their general life situation and well-being. While ¿cómo estás? asks specifically about a person's state, ¿cómo va todo? focuses more broadly on the person's general circumstances or situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interrogative adverb cómo (how), the verb va (goes) and the pronoun todo (everything).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb va is the third-person singular form of ir (to go), which agrees with the singular subject todo (everything).
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this greeting is Todo bien (Everything is fine/good).
Did you know?
- In Argentina and Uruguay, you are more likely to hear ¿cómo anda todo? instead of ¿cómo va todo? The verb andar implies a sense of functioning or walking that differs from the general movement of ir.
- The response Todo bien often functions as a social lubricant. Even when facing significant hardships, speakers may use it to maintain social harmony rather than provide a literal report of their situation.
- The word cómo is actually a non-literary, colloquial descendant of the more formal Latin word 'quōmodo'.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¿cómo te va todo con el nuevo proyecto?Hey, how is everything going with the new project?
- ¿Cómo te ha ido últimamente?How's it going lately?
- Oye, ¿qué tal las cosas últimamente?Hey, how are things lately?
- ¡Hola, Juan! ¿Cómo va todo?Hi, Juan! How is everything going?
- Me alegra verte, ¿cómo va todo?I'm happy to see you, how is everything going?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a coffee shop.
- Mateo¡Hola, Sofía! ¿Cómo va todo?Hi, Sofía! How is everything going?
- SofíaTodo bien, Mateo, ¿y contigo?Everything is fine, Mateo, and with you?
- MateoMuy bien también, gracias.Very well too, thanks.
- SofíaQué bueno escuchar eso.That is good to hear.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, todo, va, CC BY-SA 4.0.
