9 minutes · reading · vocabulary · conversation

How are you?

Ask how someone is and answer without searching for a perfect sentence.

One phrase, two jobs

Ça va ? is the everyday way to ask “How are you?” The same words can also be an answer: Ça va. means “I’m okay” or “It’s going fine.”

You do not need a long reply. Ça va, ça va bien and pas mal are useful everyday answers. With someone you know, simply saying Ça va, et toi ? is often the most natural choice.

Short, natural answers

— Ça va ? — Ça va bien, merci.

Translation

— How are you? — I’m well, thank you.

— Ça va ? — Ça va, et toi ?

Translation

— How are you? — I’m okay, and you?

— Ça va ? — Pas mal.

Translation

— How are you? — Not bad.

— Ça va ? — Bof, moyen.

InformalInformal. Bof expresses a lack of enthusiasm; moyen means so-so.
Translation

— How are you? — Meh, so-so.

— Ça va ? — Comme ci, comme ça.

Textbook phrase. Recognise it, do not default to it

In real speechCorrect and understood, but it often sounds like a memorised classroom answer.

Translation

— How are you? — So-so.

Choose your answer

Everyday options, from positive to less enthusiastic:

ça va
I’m okay / it’s going
ça va bien
I’m well / it’s going well
pas mal
not bad
bof
mehInformalInformal and expressive.
moyen
so-so / not greatAn informal short answer.
comme ci, comme ça
so-soTextbook phrase. Recognise it, do not default to itLearn it for recognition, but do not make it your default answer.
merci
thank you

Rule at a glance

The same words ask and answer

Ça va ? with a rising voice is the question. Ça va with a falling voice is the answer.

ÇA VA ?asked with a rising voice
Ça va ?
How are you?
Bonjour, ça va ?
Hello, how are you?
ÇA VAanswered with a falling voice
Ça va, merci.
I’m fine, thanks.
Ça va bien.
I’m doing well.

Build the complete sentence

Answer, then hand the question back

Give a short answer, add merci if you like, then hand it back with et vous ? or et toi ?

Answer

Ça va
I’m fine
Ça va bien
I’m doing well
Pas mal
Not bad

Thanks

, merci.
, thanks
.
—

Return question

Et vous ?
And you? — polite
Et toi ?
And you? — informal

See the structure

Ça vaI’m fine, merci., thanksEt vous ?And you? — polite

Change the blocks

Pas malNot bad.—Et toi ?And you? — informal

Merci is optional. Choose et vous ? or et toi ? to match the person, exactly as you did with tu and vous.

Practice

Choose an answer

Someone asks: Ça va ?

Which reply means “I’m well, thank you”?

Answer choices
Practice

Complete the positive answer

Ça va ___, merci.

Practice

Build the complete reply

Say: I’m well, thank you. And you? (polite)

Choose words below
Lesson complete?

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