Comment ça va?
How are you?
Language note: Standard casual greeting; literal translation is 'How it goes?'
Culture note: Commonly used among friends, similar to 'How's it going?' in English.
Context: After greeting, you want to ask how they are doing.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Comment
[coh-mahn]
How are you?
A common question used to ask about someone's well-being.
Salut! Comment ça va?
Hi! How are you?
ça
[sah]
it
Refers to a condition or a situation.
Comment ça va aujourd'hui?
How is it today?
va
[vah]
is
Indicates the state or condition.
Comment ça va ce matin?
How is it this morning?
Phrase Parts
Comment
How
This word is used to ask about the manner or state of something.
Comment ça marche?
How does it work?
ça
it
A pronoun used to refer to a situation or thing in general.
ça va bien.
It's going well.
va?
is going?
Used to inquire about someone's well-being or situation.
Comment ça va?
How is it going?
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