Short answer
“how are you” in French is Comment allez-vous ?
How to say how are you in French?
To say 'how are you' in French, the standard expression is 'Comment allez-vous ?' (koh-mahn tah-lay-voo) for formal situations. In everyday conversation you will far more often hear 'Comment ça va ?' or just 'Ça va ?', and 'Comment vas-tu ?' for a friend you call 'tu'. The question uses the verb 'aller', not 'être', so it literally means 'How are you going?'. These short greetings expect a quick answer like 'Ça va' and a return question such as 'Et vous ?' or 'Et toi ?'.
Common pairings
Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui ?Très bien, merci. Et vous ?Ça va bien ?Comment vas-tu ce matin ?
How to use it
- The choice depends on 'tu' or 'vous': use 'Comment allez-vous ?' with strangers, older people and in formal settings; use 'Comment vas-tu ?' or 'Comment ça va ?' when you would call the person 'tu'.
- These are real questions, not just empty small talk. Answer briefly with 'Ça va bien' or 'Je vais bien, merci', then return the question with 'Et vous ?' (formal) or 'Et toi ?' (casual).
- You can start with 'Bonjour' or 'Salut' and keep the question short. You do not need 'aujourd'hui' unless you really mean 'today'.
Examples
Bonjour Madame, comment allez-vous ?
Hello ma'am, how are you?
Formal greeting — 'allez-vous' is the inverted question with 'vous'. Say it like koh-mahn tah-lay-voo.
Comment vas-tu ? Ça fait longtemps !
How are you? It's been a long time!
Informal singular — use 'tu' with friends or family. Pronounce it roughly kom-mahn vah-too.
Comment ça va ? — Ça va très bien, et toi ?
How's it going? — It's going great, and you?
'Comment ça va ?' is the casual everyday form. The short answer 'Ça va' mirrors the question.
Ça va ? — Oui, ça va, merci.
You okay? — Yes, I'm fine, thanks.
'Ça va ?' is the shortest and most relaxed version. 'Oui, ça va' is the natural short answer.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Comment |
Comment allez-vous ? | 'How are you' looks like it should use 'être' (to be), but French uses 'aller' (to go). 'Comment êtes-vous ?' is not used to ask how someone feels. |
| Comment |
Comment vas-tu ? | Even in informal French, the question uses 'aller' (tu vas), never 'être' (tu es). |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Je |
Je vais bien. | As an answer to how are you, 'Je suis bien' sounds like 'I am comfortable' or 'the place is nice'. To say you feel well, use the verb 'aller'. |
FAQ
- How to say how are you in French?Use 'Comment allez-vous ?' (formal), 'Comment vas-tu ?' (informal singular), or 'Comment ça va ?' / 'Ça va ?' (casual). The verb is 'aller', not 'être', so it literally means 'How are you going?'.
- What is the difference between 'Comment allez-vous' and 'Comment ça va'?'Comment allez-vous ?' uses 'vous' and is polite, for strangers, elders or formal settings. 'Comment ça va ?' is neutral and casual, fine with friends, coworkers and people you know well.
- How do you answer 'Comment ça va ?' in French?Answer with 'Ça va bien' (it's going well), 'Très bien, merci' (very well, thanks), or simply 'Ça va'. Then return the question with 'Et toi ?' (informal) or 'Et vous ?' (formal).
- Does 'Comment ça va' literally mean 'how are you'?'Comment ça va' literally means 'how is it going?' — 'ça' means 'it' and 'va' comes from 'aller' (to go). This is why the natural answer is 'Ça va'.