Ask ‘How Are You?’ in French With 8+ Choices

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In case you’ve mastered find out how to say “howdy” and “good to fulfill you” in French, you’re able to take the subsequent step in fundamental dialog and study just a few alternative ways to say “how are you?” 

It might look like a quite simple query, however with the French language’s aptitude for formality, it’s necessary to make use of the socially acceptable types of the phrases. You’ll be thought of well mannered, and also you’ll be sure that your query is acquired properly. This useful information provides you with some choices for saying “how are you?” in French and canopy quite a lot of potential replies. 

How do you say ‘How are you?’ in French?

These phrases may have you coated for many day by day interactions, whether or not businesslike or informal. Discover the French punctuation contains the espace insécable (non breaking house). 

1. Remark allez-vous ? 

This frequent approach of asking “How are you doing?” in French is pretty acquainted, even to those that don’t converse French. It matches all kinds of conditions. Each formal and well mannered, it’s acceptable to make use of with individuals you wish to present a better diploma of respect, akin to a boss, an elder, or an authority determine. 

• Remark allez-vous ? = How are you? 
  
• Bonjour, Madame Gauthier, remark allez-vous ? = Good day, Mrs. Gauthier, how are you? 
  
• Je vais bien. = I’m nice. 
  

2. Remark vas-tu ? 

That is the casual model of remark allez-vous ?, ideally used to greet pals, household, and folks you understand properly. Each tu and vous are methods to say “you” and use totally different verb kinds to convey formal and casual language. This casual greeting signifies a way of social closeness, so it is likely to be awkward in the event you use it within the unsuitable state of affairs and are available throughout as overly informal.

• Remark vas-tu ? = How are you? 
  
• Bonjour, Sophie. Remark vas-tu ? = Good day, Sophie. How are you? 
  

The usage of inversion to type French questions, by utilizing the verb adopted by a hyphen after which the topic, is a little more formal, so be happy to say Remark tu vas ?  in informal speech as a substitute. 

3. Remark ça va ? 

That is one other casual solution to say “How are you?” in French that loosely interprets to “How’s it going?” As with remark vas-tu ?, use this with individuals you understand properly. 

You may as well shorten the phrase to ça va ?, typically resulting in a typical formulaic response. 

• Ça va ? = How are you? 
• Ça va bien. Ça va ? = Good, and also you? 
• Oui, ça va. = Sure, good. 

4. Vous allez bien ? 

This extra formal phrase means “Are you doing properly?” A casual choice can be Tu vas bien ? 

5. Remark vous sentez-vous ? 

Solely say this phrase in the event you’re hoping for a extra detailed reply. Particularly if you understand the particular person you’re speaking to was sick or struggling, you’re asking extra particularly, “How are you feeling?” To ask informally, use Remark tu te sens ? 

6. Ça roule ? 

This colloquial phrase interprets to “It rolls?” It’s an off-the-cuff and enjoyable solution to say “How are you?” in French, and similar to Ça va ? individuals typically reply with Ça roule again. Comparable expressions embody Ça gaze ? which is argot (French slang) to say “What’s up?” or “All good?” Use this solely with pals you understand properly. 

7. Tout va bien ? 

This expression that means “Is the whole lot going properly?” sounds extremely just like tu vas bien ? (Are you doing properly?). French pronunciation is necessary right here. Pay attention rigorously to the distinction in vowel sounds within the phrase tout (all/the whole lot) and tu (you—casual). The latter makes use of the uniquely French “u” sound, whereas tout makes use of extra of an “oo” sound, nearly like “shoe” in English. The phrases vas and va are indistinguishable because of the silent “s.” 

8. Quoi de neuf ? 

Good for a little bit of selection, this implies “What’s new?” or “What’s up?” It’s relaxed and pleasant, and is a good addition to your small-talk repertoire. Be just like the French and pronounce it quoi d’neuf, despite the fact that that may be breaking grammar guidelines about spelling in written French. A couple of good responses may embody pas grand-chose (not a lot), or rien de spécial (nothing particular).

Responding to ‘How are you?’ in French

Listed below are a number of replies you may give to any of the above expressions. Remember that in formal conditions, it’s customary to maintain your solutions optimistic, so study to say “superb” in French. When talking to an in depth good friend, you is likely to be extra candid along with your responses. 

It’s additionally well mannered to ask the opposite particular person how they’re doing after you reply, in the event you haven’t finished so already. You are able to do this by saying et vous ? (and also you?) in a proper state of affairs, or et toi ? in a relaxed one. 

Formal responses

These solutions are well mannered and to the purpose, together with “thanks” in French. 

• Bien, merci. = Good, thanks.
• Très bien, merci. = Superb, thanks.
• Je vais bien, merci. = I’m doing properly, thanks.
  

Casual responses

These relaxed solutions are good for chatting with family and friends.

• Ça va. = It goes/good (the anticipated response to ça va ?). 
• Ça va bien. = It’s going properly.
• Ça va très bien. = It’s going very properly.
• En forme. = In good condition.
• Pas mal. = Not unhealthy.
• Pas horrible. = Not nice.
• Ça roule. = It’s rolling (the anticipated response to ça roule ?). 

What about comme çi, comme ça ?

Whereas many textbooks have taught learners by way of the years this expression for “so-so” or impartial response, it’s thought of dated and unusual right now. As an alternative, to point a “not good, however not unhealthy” state of affairs, attempt one of many following solutions:

• Ça se passe. = It’s going/it’s taking place.
• Bof. = “Meh” (mentioned with a shrug). In accordance with Frenchdictionary.com, it is a nice expression for whenever you’re feeling a scarcity of enthusiasm. 
• Couçi-couça. = So-so (In case you simply can’t cease your self from considering comme çi comme ça, use this, nevertheless it’s nonetheless thought of a bit old style).
• Ça va aller. = It’s going to go (maybe it’s not nice now, however will probably be). 
• Ça peut aller. = It will probably go.

In case you’re exchanging anticipated greetings in passing, don’t fear about something greater than a “howdy” in French and a “How are you?” expression. And make sure to skip the bonjour (howdy/good morning) in the event you’ve already greeted the person who day! 

In some conditions, you may anticipate to converse extra, whereas different conditions name for a respectful silence round strangers, with no strain to start out a dialog. Take your cues from the context.

Formal dialog

In formal conditions, keep on with very fundamental matters, avoiding something private. In some cultures, asking about one’s household or office is likely to be thought of well mannered, however all these questions is likely to be intrusive in the event you don’t know the particular person properly. Higher to stay to the climate. Actually, one French expression for “small discuss” is parler de la pluie et du beau temps (to speak concerning the rain and the good climate). Et avant tout (and above all), use the vous kinds. 

Listed below are some urged questions you possibly can ask in a proper small-talk state of affairs:

Casual chitchat

In case you’re in a extra relaxed setting, particularly if the particular person has given you permission to tutoyer (tackle them with tu and its kinds), you may ask:

Present well mannered curiosity in others with ‘How are you?’ in French

For such a easy expression in English, there are a variety of potential French translations. Owing to French cultural issues, akin to formal vs. casual speech and emotions about small discuss, it’s necessary to suppose in French as a substitute of translating ideas from English. 

Begin with a powerful understanding of vous vs. tu conditions, and select your greeting accordingly. The suitable response is likely to be a brief reply like bien, merci, et vous ? (nice, thanks, and also you?) adopted by respectful silence. You possibly can at all times begin with extra formal choices and take your cues from these round you. A trusted French-speaking good friend or one among Rosetta Stone’s skilled tutors can make clear the formality anticipated of their tradition.