1.3. Asking “How are you?” in French — more than just one phrase
1. The everyday standard
Comment ça va ? | How are you? |
Ça va ? | How’s it going? (short, very common) |
These work in most situations — friendly, natural, and widely used.
2. Formal version
Comment allez-vous ? | How are you? (formal) |
Use this with professors, strangers, or in polite settings.
3. Informal / friendly
Ça va ? | How’s it going? (quick and casual) |
Comment tu vas ? | How are you? (informal, with tu) |
Use with friends, classmates, people your age.
4. Common responses
Ça va bien | I’m good |
Ça va | I’m fine / okay |
Très bien | Very good |
bien | good |
Comme ci, comme ça | So-so |
Ça ne va pas très bien | Not very well |
Ça va mal | Not well / things are bad |
pas mal | Not bad. (informal) |
Je vais (très) bien, merci | I’m doing (very) well, thanks |
5. Keep the conversation going
Almost always, you return the question:
Et toi ? | And you? (informal) |
Et vous ? | And you? (formal) |
6. Mini example
A: Salut ! Ça va ?
B: Ça va bien, merci. Et toi ?
A: Ça va !
A: Hi! How’s it going?
B: I’m good, thanks. And you?
A: I’m good!
In French, asking “how are you” isn’t just information — it’s a social ritual.
Even a simple “Ça va ? — Ça va.” is like a quick handshake in words 🤝
Master this, and you unlock the rhythm of everyday conversation.