What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Comment se passe ta journée ? literally translates to 'How is your day passing?'
Which one should you use?
While Comment se passe ta journée ? focuses on the progress of the day, the phrase Comment vas-tu ? focuses instead on the person's well-being.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use different forms depending on who you are addressing. Comment ça se passe aujourd'hui ? is an informal way to say 'How is your day going today?' For a more relaxed casual conversation, speakers often use Ça se passe bien, ta journée ? to ask 'Is your day going well?'
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a stranger, a superior or a group of people, use votre journée instead of ta journée in the phrase Comment se passe votre journée ?
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this question is Ça se passe bien, merci ! (It's going well, thanks!).
Did you know?
- The term journée shares an ancient root with the word 'journey', both stemming from the Latin idea of a single day's travel.
- While English speakers often use 'How is your day going?' as a greeting without expecting a real answer, French speakers may take the question more literally and provide a genuine summary of their day.
- The word journée doesn't just mean 'day', but specifically refers to the span of time and the experience within it, whereas jour is used for a date or a unit of time.
Examples in context
- Dis-moi, comment se passe ta journée ?Tell me, how is your day going?
Example conversation
Lucas meets Emma at a cafe in the afternoon.
- LucasSalut Emma, comment se passe ta journée ?Hi Emma, how is your day going?
- EmmaElle se passe très bien, merci Lucas.It is going very well, thanks Lucas.
- LucasJe suis content de l'entendre.I am happy to hear that.
- EmmaEt toi, tout va bien ?And you, is everything going well?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, journée, se, ta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
