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How to Say ‘How are you? (formal)’ in French

Comment allez-vous ?

koh-mahn ah-lay voo

[koh-mahn ah-lay voo]

💬 Usage Tip: Here allez means "go", so the phrase literally asks how you're going. The answer uses the same verb: Je vais bien "I'm well".

🇫🇷 In France: Use this with older people, officials, or anyone you'd address as vous. With friends it sounds stiff.

Phrase Breakdown

Comment

[koh-mahn]

How

Used to ask about the manner or way in which something is done.

Example

Explique-moi 'comment' faire cela.

Explain to me 'how' to do that.

allez

[ah-lay]

are going / are

Form of aller used in the polite question allez-vous ? to ask how someone is doing.

Example

Comment allez-vous ce matin ?

How are you this morning?

-vous

[voo]

you

Used to refer to the person or people being addressed.

Example

Comment allez-vous ?

How are you?

Related guides

Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.Common French Phrases You'll Use Every Day (with Native Audio)The common French phrases and expressions people actually use every day: greetings, polite essentials, reactions and casual slang, with meanings and native audio.

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