How to Say “How Are You?” in French

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Comment ça va ?
The English phrase "how are you?" is translated into French as Comment ça va ?
Comment ça va ? is used to ask "how are you?" Unlike English, where "How are you?" often requires a full sentence response, in French, Ça va can be used both as the question and the answer.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase Comment ça va ? literally translates to "How is it going?", where comment means "how", ça means "it" and va is the third-person singular form of the verb aller (to go).

Which one should you use?

While Comment ça va ? can be used in certain formal contexts or with people you know to some extent, it is a slightly less formal version of Comment allez-vous? For a more informal approach, you can use Comment tu vas? or the very common casual version Ça va?

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

For formal or polite situations, such as when speaking with strangers, superiors or groups of people, use Comment allez-vous? In casual, everyday conversation with friends or family, the shortened version Ça va? is very common.

When do people say it?

A standard, polite response to Comment ça va ? is Ça va bien, merci. (It's going well, thanks).

Did you know?

  • In some regions, a person might respond to Ça va ? with Comme ci, comme ça, which is often recognized by English speakers but rarely used by native French speakers today.
  • The verb va comes from the Latin vādō, which originally meant 'to stride' or 'to walk'.
  • While English speakers use 'How are you?' to actually start a conversation, using Comment ça va? can sometimes be seen as a mere polite ritual without requiring a real update on your life.

Examples in context

  • Bonjour, Monsieur Dupont. Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui?
    Hello, Mr. Dupont. How are you today?
  • Bonjour, Madame Martin. Comment ça va depuis notre dernière rencontre?
    Hello, Mrs. Martin. How have you been since our last meeting?
  • Salut! Ça va?
    Hi! How are you?
  • Coucou, ça fait longtemps qu'on ne s'est pas vus. Comment tu vas?
    Hey, it's been a while since we last saw each other. How are you?
  • Comment ça va ?
    How are you?
  • Salut, comment ça va ?
    Hi, how are you?
  • Dites-moi, comment ça va ?
    Tell me, how are you?

Example conversation

Lucas meets Léa at a café.

  1. Lucas

    Salut Léa, comment ça va ?
    Hi Léa, how are you?
  2. Léa

    Ça va très bien, merci !
    I am doing very well, thanks!
  3. Lucas

    Je suis content de l'entendre.
    I am happy to hear that.
  4. Léa

    Et toi, Lucas, comment ça va ?
    And you, Lucas, how are you?

Sources

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Freya Leona
Freya LeonaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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