How to Say ‘How are you?’ in French
Ça va ?
sah vah
[sah vah]
💬 Usage Tip: A super common informal check-in. You can answer with Ça va, bien merci or just Ça va.
🇫🇷 In France: French small talk loves short formulas. At pickup, this is often more a friendly ritual than a deep question.
Phrase Breakdown
Ça
[sah]
it / that
In the expression Ça va ?, ça is part of a fixed phrase meaning 'how are things?'
Au portail, je demande Ça va ? à un parent.
At the gate, I ask a parent 'How are things?'
va
[vah]
goes
In Ça va ?, va literally means 'goes' and helps form the common expression 'How are you?'
Quand je vois une voisine, je lui demande souvent Ça va ?
When I see a neighbour, I often ask her 'How are you?'
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