What does it mean word for word?
The part comment ça va ? literally translates to "how is it going?", where ça means "it".
Which one should you use?
You can also use the even more abbreviated Salut, ça va? for an informal "Hi, how are you?" For a more relaxed tone among close friends or family, you might say Coucou, comment ça va?, which is similar to "Hey, how's it going?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word salut is informal and can mean both "hi" and "bye". You should use Bonjour, comment allez-vous? if you are speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people in a formal setting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the greeting Salut, comment tu vas? is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase comment ça va ?, the word va is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb aller, which means "to go".
When do people say it?
When someone asks you comment ça va ?, a common and natural response is to say Ça va. or Ça va bien, which means "It's going / I'm fine" or "It is going well."
Did you know?
- The greeting coucou is often used as a 'peek-a-boo' style greeting. It mimics the sound of a cuckoo bird and is used to announce one's arrival in a playful or affectionate way.
- The word salut shares a root with the English word 'salute'. Both derive from a Latin word meaning 'health' or 'wholeness', effectively wishing the other person well-being when greeting them.
- The casual ça va ? can function as both the question and the answer. A conversation can consist of one person asking ça va ? and the other responding ça va without changing a single word.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel meet at a cafe.
- ChloéSalut, comment ça va ?Hi, how are you?
- GabrielÇa va bien, et toi ?I'm doing well, and you?
- ChloéÇa va très bien, merci !I'm doing very well, thanks!
- GabrielJe suis content de t'entendre.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, salut, va, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
