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Level A1 (Beginner)
The French Word of the Day is ça va, a phrase with several meanings depending on context. As a question, “Ça va ?” means “How are you?”, but it also appears in many other common expressions — which we’ll explore in this lesson.
Meaning
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Expressions
Meaning
Ça va is one of the most common phrases in French. It literally means “it goes,” but is often used to ask or say how someone is doing. Depending on context, it can be a question (Ça va ?), a response (Ça va bien), or part of longer expressions.
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Ça va? – most basic
When used as a greeting, “Ça va ?” means “How’s it going?” It’s a casual way to ask if everything is going well, often expecting a simple yes or no-type reply.
Salut, ça va?
Hi! How’s it going?
There are two possible yes-no answers to this question.
Oui, ça va merci!
Fine, thank you!
Non, ça ne va pas.
I’m not going well.
If you’re really not doing well, you can say: “Non, ça ne va pas du tout.” This literally means “No, it’s not going at all.”
Comment ça va?
In another situation, you might ask “Comment ça va ?” — a slightly more complete way to say “How’s it going?” or more specifically, “How are you doing?”
Comment ça va?
How are you? How’s it going?
To answer “Comment ça va ?”, simply say “Ça va” followed by how you’re feeling. Here are a few common ways to respond:
Ça va bien, merci.
I’m doing well, thanks.
Ça va très bien, merci.
It’s going very well, thanks.
Ça va mal.
I’m not doing well.
Ça va comme ci, comme ça.
I’m so-so.
Expressions with ça va
- Ça y est, ça va ! – That’s enough already!
- Ça va aller. – It’ll be okay.
- Ça va pas la tête ? – Are you out of your mind? (informal)
- Ça va mieux ? – Feeling better?
- Ça va de soi. – It goes without saying.
- Ça va sans dire. – It goes without saying. (more literary)
- Si ça te va. – If that works for you.
- Ça va être génial ! – It’s going to be great!
- Ça va durer longtemps ? – Is this going to take long?
Continue Learning French!
Now that you’ve learned ça va, explore my full guide to French greetings. You can also dive deeper with the daily French Word of the Day series.
