Ça marche
casual, everyday
The most natural casual way to say "OK" in French is Ça marche, literally "it works". Friends also say Nickel for "perfect" or Ça roule for "that rolls along fine". It is also called OK.
Meaning: agreement, okay (interjection)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Ça marche | casual, everyday |
| Nickel | slang |
| Ça roule | casual |
| OK | casual |
Ça marche answers a plan or a suggestion: you agree and the matter is settled. Nickel is a little warmer and says that everything is just right.
Which one should you use?
The standard word is d'accord, which fits every situation. The slang forms sound relaxed and are better with friends than in a formal email.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Ça roule can also be a question meaning "how is it going". Listen to the tone to know whether you are being asked or told.
Did you know?
- The English OK is also used in everyday French, especially by younger speakers.
Examples in context
- On se retrouve à huit heures. Ça marche.We meet at eight. OK.
- Tu peux venir demain ? Nickel, à demain !Can you come tomorrow? Perfect, see you tomorrow!
- Ça roule, on commence à midi.Fine, we start at noon.
Example conversation
Théo and his friend Inès plan to go to the cinema.
- ThéoOn va au cinéma samedi soir ?Shall we go to the cinema on Saturday evening?
- InèsÇa marche. Vingt heures devant le cinéma.OK. Eight in the evening in front of the cinema.
- ThéoNickel, je prends les billets.Perfect, I will get the tickets.
