What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I go very well, thank you" because French uses the verb aller (to go) instead of être (to be) to express how one is doing.
Which one should you use?
While je vais très bien, merci emphasizes that you are doing excellently, the slightly less emphatic version je vais bien, merci is a more standard, neutral way to say you are doing well.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Je vais très bien, merci is the standard form. For a more colloquial or informal way to express the same sentiment, you can use Ça va très bien, merci.
How does it change in a sentence?
Removing très (very) from the phrase to say je vais bien, merci makes the response slightly less emphatic but it remains perfectly polite.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying je suis très bien, merci. English speakers often mistakenly use je suis (I am) instead of je vais (I go) when translating this phrase, but je suis très bien can imply that you are a "good person" or that you are comfortable in a physical setting rather than describing your state of being.
When do people say it?
It is common and polite to follow your response by returning the question. You can say Et vous ? (And you? – formal) or Et toi ? (And you? – informal).
Did you know?
- The word merci comes from the Latin word mercēdem, which referred to a 'wage' or 'fee'.
- While je vais très bien, merci is the standard response, a person in France might simply answer with ça va to both ask the question and answer it in one go.
- In Middle French, a more elaborate way to express gratitude was to say granz merciz, which translates to 'great thanks'.
Examples in context
- Oui, je vais très bien, merci de demander.Yes, I am very well, thank you for asking.
- Je vais très bien, merci, et vous ?I am very well, thank you, and you?
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa meet at a cafe.
- NathanBonjour Léa, comment vas-tu ?Hello Léa, how are you?
- LéaJe vais très bien, merci. Et toi ?I am very well, thank you. And you?
- NathanÇa va bien, merci.I'm doing well, thank you.
- LéaC'est super, Nathan !That's great, Nathan!
