je vais bien
The English phrase "I am doing well" is expressed in French as je vais bien.
This phrase is used as a response to indicate that you are in good health or feeling happy when someone asks how you are. While je vais bien is a direct response about your own state, you may also encounter ça va bien, which is a more general way to say that things are going well.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I go well" because the verb used is aller (to go) rather than être (to be).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying je suis bien to mean you are doing well. In French, je suis bien usually refers to being physically comfortable, such as sitting in a soft chair, rather than describing your general state of being.
When do people say it?
When someone asks how you are, it is polite to respond with Je vais bien, merci and then ask the other person how they are. In a formal setting, follow your response with Et vous ? (And you?). In an informal setting, use Et toi ? (And you?).
Did you know?
- The verb vais comes from the Latin 'vadō', which is also the ancestor of the English word 'evade', meaning to go away or escape.
- While je vais bien is a complete sentence, many French speakers will simply reply with the two-word Ça va to both ask and answer the question simultaneously.
- When responding to Comment allez-vous?, simply saying Bien is often considered too blunt or curt in many social situations.
Examples in context
- Je vais bien, merci.I am doing well, thank you.This sentence shows how to include a thank you in your response using je vais bien.Tatoeba #180276 by wilouf, translation #4097528 by hickeety
- Je vais bien aujourd'hui.I am doing well today.
- Oui, je vais bien.Yes, I am doing well.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma meet at a cafe.
- NathanBonjour Emma, comment vas-tu ?Hello Emma, how are you doing?
- EmmaJe vais bien, merci Nathan !I am doing well, thank you Nathan!
- NathanC'est super. Tu veux un café ?That's great. Do you want a coffee?
- EmmaOui, je veux bien.Yes, I would like one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, je, vais, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
