How to Say “It Went Well” in French: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to expressing that something went well in French, there are several phrases and expressions you can use. Whether you want to convey this message formally or informally, it’s always helpful to have a few options up your sleeve. In this guide, we’ll provide you with various ways to say “it went well” in French, along with tips, examples, and even regional variations. So, let’s dive in!

Formal Expressions:

If you’re in a more formal setting or need to use polite language, the following phrases will come in handy:

1. Tout s’est bien passé – This direct translation simply means “everything went well.” It’s a neutral and straightforward way to express that things went smoothly. For example: “La réunion s’est bien passée” (The meeting went well).
2. Tout s’est déroulé comme prévu – This expression means “everything went as planned.” It emphasizes that the outcome was exactly or closely what was expected. For instance: “La conférence s’est déroulée comme prévu” (The conference went as planned).
3. Ça s’est bien terminé – Here, you’re saying “it ended well.” This phrase is particularly useful when you want to highlight that the conclusion of an event or activity was successful. For example: “La négociation s’est bien terminée” (The negotiation ended well).

Informal Expressions:

If you’re in a casual setting or talking to friends, family, or colleagues you know well, consider using these more informal expressions:

1. Tout s’est bien passé nickel / a merveille – These expressions add a touch of informality and enthusiasm to your statement. “Nickel” and “a merveille” both mean “perfectly” or “wonderfully,” suggesting that everything went exceptionally well. For example: “La soirée s’est bien passée nickel” (The evening went perfectly).
2. C’était top / super – When you want to express that things went really well or were fantastic, you can use “c’était top” or “c’était super.” These phrases are commonly used among friends and in informal situations. For instance: “La présentation s’est bien passée, c’était top!” (The presentation went well, it was fantastic!)
3. Ça s’est super bien goupillé – Here, you’re using a slang expression to convey that things went extremely well or even luck was on your side. “Se goupiller” is an informal expression meaning “to turn out” or “to work out.” For example: “Le plan s’est super bien goupillé!” (The plan worked out really well!)

Regional Variations:

French is a diverse language with regional variations. Though these variations primarily affect pronunciation and vocabulary, it’s interesting to explore how different regions express that something went well:

In Quebec: Instead of saying “Tout s’est bien passé,” people might say “Tout s’est bien déroulé” or “Tout s’est bien passé comme prévu.”

In Belgium: Belgians may use the phrase “Tout s’est bien passé comme sur des roulettes” to mean “everything went well smoothly.”

In Switzerland: Swiss French speakers might say “Tout s’est bien passé comme sur des roulettes” or “Tout s’est bien déroulé” similar to the Belgian variation.

Remember, these regional variations are not necessary to learn or utilize French effectively, but they can provide interesting insights if you encounter them.

Tips and Examples:

Here are a few additional tips and examples to help you master expressing that something went well in French:

1. When using the phrases provided, you can replace “tout” (everything) with a specific event, activity, or situation. For instance: “Le rendez-vous s’est bien passé” (The appointment went well).
2. To emphasize the positive outcome further, you can add adverbs such as “très” (very), “vraiment” (really), or “incroyablement” (incredibly) before “bien” (well). For example: “La répétition s’est incroyablement bien passée” (The rehearsal went incredibly well).
3. Remember to adjust verb agreement and tense according to the subject and context. If the event involved multiple people, use “se sont bien passés” for masculine plural, “se sont bien passées” for feminine plural, or “s’est bien passé” for singular. For example: “Les vacances s’est bien passées” (The holidays went well).

Now that you have a wide range of expressions to say “it went well” in French, feel free to use these phrases in the appropriate settings. Don’t hesitate to practice and personalize them based on your desired level of formality and context. Bonne chance!