je vais très bien
The English phrase "I am very good" is translated into French as je vais très bien.
A response used to say that you are feeling well or healthy when asked how you are.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "i go very well" because French uses the verb aller (to go) rather than être (to be) to express health and well-being.
Which one should you use?
je vais bien is a standard response, while je vais très bien adds the intensifier très (very) to indicate a higher level of well-being.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb aller in the first-person singular present tense.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say je suis très bon to mean they are feeling well, but this actually means "I am very talented" or "I am very tasty" depending on context.
Did you know?
- Using je suis très bon to describe your mood can be an embarrassing mistake, as it may suggest you are 'tasty' or a skilled lover.
- The verb vais is a descendant of the Latin 'vadō', which is also where we get the English word 'evade'.
- While très bien is positive, responding with only bien can sometimes signal to a native speaker that you are actually feeling just average or mediocre.
Examples in context
- Lors de notre rencontre aujourd'hui, je vais très bien, merci.During our meeting today, I am very well, thank you.
- Salut Paul, comment ça va ? – Ça va super bien, merci !Hi Paul, how are you? – I am doing super well, thanks!
- Je vais très bien, merci.I am very good, thank you.
- Ne t'inquiète pas, je vais très bien.Don't worry, I am very good.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa meet at a cafe.
- GabrielSalut Léa, comment vas-tu ?Hi Léa, how are you?
- LéaJe vais très bien, et toi Gabriel ?I am very good, and you Gabriel?
- GabrielJe vais très bien aussi.I am very good too.
- LéaC'est super !That's great!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bien, je, très, vais, CC BY-SA 4.0.
