How to Say ‘How are you?’ in French
Ça va ?
sa va
[sa va]
💬 Usage Tip: Literally "Is it going?" but naturally it means "How are you?" or even just "Everything okay?"
🇫🇷 In France: At the school gate, this is a classic quick check-in. Often the expected answer is short and cheerful.
Phrase Breakdown
Ça
[sa]
it / that
Used in the fixed expression Ça va ? to ask how things are going.
Quand je vois une voisine, je demande Ça va ?
When I see a neighbour, I ask How are things?
va
[va]
goes / is going
In Ça va ?, this word means goes, giving the sense of How is it going?
Au portail, Ça va ? est une question simple et naturelle.
At the gate, Ça va? is a simple and natural question.
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