What does it mean word for word?
Literally, je vais très bien translates to "I am going very well". This is because French uses the verb aller (to go) instead of être (to be) to describe a person's health or well-being.
Which one should you use?
While je vais très bien is the standard response, you can use other forms depending on the situation. Ça va très bien means "It's going very well", and Je suis super bien means "I am super well".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can omit the word très to say je vais bien if you want to say you are doing well without the added emphasis of "very".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying je suis très bien to describe your health. In French, je suis très bien usually means "I am very comfortable" or "I am a very good person". Instead, use je vais très bien to say you are doing well.
Did you know?
- The verb in this phrase, vais, comes from the Latin vadō, which is the same root used for the English word 'evade', as both involve the concept of 'going' or 'moving away'.
- In very casual French, Ça va can serve as both the question 'How are you?' and the answer 'I am well'.
- If you tell someone je suis très bien in a moral context, you are claiming to be a very good or virtuous person.
Examples in context
- Je vais très bien, merci.I am very well, thank you.
- Depuis mes vacances, je vais très bien.Since my vacation, I am very well.
- Ne t'inquiète pas, je vais très bien.Don't worry, I am very well.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma meet at a cafe.
- GabrielSalut Emma, comment vas-tu ?Hi Emma, how are you doing?
- EmmaJe vais très bien, merci Gabriel !I am very well, thank you Gabriel!
- GabrielC'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, très, vais, CC BY-SA 4.0.
