How to Say ‘How are you?’ in French
Comment allez-vous ?
koh-mahn ah-lay voo
[koh-mahn ah-lay voo]
💬 Usage Tip: [Comment allez-vous ?] uses verb before subject: literally [How are-going-you?] That flipped order is a common formal pattern, also used in [Pouvez-vous... ?].
🇫🇷 In France: This sounds polite and a bit more formal than [Ça va ?]. It fits first meetings, professional settings, and speaking to someone you don't know well.
Phrase Breakdown
Comment
[koh-mahn]
How
Used to inquire about the way or manner.
'Comment' vas-tu aujourd'hui?
'How' are you today?
allez
[ah-lay]
Go
In formal you form, asking about someone's well-being.
'Allez'-vous bien?
'Are you' well?
-vous ?
voo
Words in this phrase
-vous
[voo]
You
Formal or plural pronoun for second person.
'Vous' savez la réponse?
'Do you' know the answer?
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