What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "how is it going for you in the school?", where va is the third-person singular form of the verb ir (to go) used as an impersonal expression meaning "it goes".
Which one should you use?
Do not use ¿cómo es la escuela? to ask about progress. That version asks for a description of the school building or its nature. If you want to ask specifically about classes, you can say ¿cómo te van las clases?, which translates to "how are your classes going?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the question formal or polite when addressing someone, use ¿cómo le va en la escuela? instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Latin America, el colegio is used more frequently than la escuela to refer to school. You may therefore use ¿cómo te va en el colegio?
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase with las clases (the classes) as the subject, the verb must change from the singular va to the plural van.
Did you know?
- The word escuela comes from the Ancient Greek word skholḗ, which originally meant 'leisure' or 'spare time'. It referred to the intellectual conversations and knowledge gained during one's free time.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the term colegio is the default word for school, regardless of whether it is a college or a primary school.
- The phrase ¿cómo te va? is a versatile idiom used for school, work or life, reflecting a cultural tendency to treat progress as a journey that 'goes' in a certain direction.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué tal el cole?How's school going?
- ¡El cole está genial! Aprendí muchas cosas nuevas hoy.School is great! I learned a lot of new things today.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are chatting over coffee.
- MaríaHola Alejandro, ¿cómo te va en la escuela?Hi Alejandro, how is school going for you?
- AlejandroTodo bien, María, aunque tengo mucha tarea.Everything is good, María, although I have a lot of homework.
- María¿Te gusta tu profesor de matemáticas?Do you like your math teacher?
- AlejandroSí, es muy bueno y divertido.Yes, he is very good and fun.
