1.7k
When you’ve discovered tips on how to say “howdy” in French, you then’re able to take the subsequent step in fundamental dialog with the phrase, “how are you?”
It looks like a easy query, however with the French language’s aptitude for formality, it’s vital to know tips on how to phrase the query primarily based on the particular person you’re speaking to and the character of the dialog. Select the precise approach to phrase it, and also you’ll have extra management over how properly your query is obtained!
Under, we’ll go over other ways you’ll be able to say “how are you?” in French, in addition to replies you may give if somebody asks the query of you.
Tips on how to say “how are you” in French
These phrases could have you coated for many each day interactions, whether or not they’re businesslike or informal.
When you write any of those phrases, embrace an area earlier than the query mark. In French, you will want to place an area earlier than sure punctuation, equivalent to query marks, exclamations factors, colons, and semicolons. This is named une espace insécable, or “a non-breaking house.”
1. Remark allez-vous ?
Many individuals who don’t converse French are nonetheless aware of this phrase. It’s a typical approach to say “how are you?” that matches in all kinds of conditions. It’s additionally formal and well mannered, so it’s acceptable to make use of with individuals you wish to be respectful towards, equivalent to a boss, an elder, or an authority determine.
2. Remark vas-tu ?
That is a casual model of remark allez-vous ?, ideally used to greet pals, household, and other people you already know properly. You may inform it’s casual as a result of, in French, tu is utilized in informal dialog whereas vous is primarily used with acquaintances or as an indication of respect
3. Remark ça va ?
That is one other casual approach to say “how are you?” that loosely interprets to “how’s it going?” Like with remark vas-tu ?, you must use this with individuals you already know properly.
You can even shorten this to only ça va ?, which makes it much more casual. When you say ça va ? you’ll doubtless not get an in depth reply, and the standard response to that is to only say ça va (“it goes”) again. When you actually need somebody to inform you how they’re doing, use remark vas-tu ? as a substitute.
4. Vous allez bien ?
This formal phrase roughly interprets to “are you properly?” If you wish to ask this informally, you’d say tu vas bien ? as a substitute.
5. Remark vous sentez-vous ?
This implies “how are you feeling?” It’s a phrase that may be a good selection if you already know the particular person you’re speaking to was sick or combating some concern. The casual model is remark tu te sens ?
6. Ça roule ?
If you’re speaking to somebody you’re shut with, you need to use this colloquial phrase which interprets actually to “it rolls?” It’s enjoyable, informal, and may also be used to ask how a particular activity goes. Like with ça va ?, individuals usually reply to this by simply saying ça roule again.
Tips on how to reply to “how are you” in French
If you end up on the receiving finish of “how are you” in French, listed below are a number of replies you may give. One factor to remember is that, in formal conditions, it’s customary to maintain your solutions constructive. When talking informally, you may be extra candid together with your responses.
It’s additionally well mannered to ask the opposite particular person how they’re doing after you reply, should you haven’t accomplished 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 casual one.
Formal
- Bien, merci = Good, thanks
- Très bien, merci = Excellent, thanks
- Je vais bien, merci = I’m doing properly, thanks
Casual
- Ça va = It goes
- Ça va bien = It goes properly
- Ça va très bien = It goes very properly
- Pas mal = Not unhealthy
- Comme ci, comme ça = So-so
- Pas horrible = Not nice
- Ça roule = It rolls
Categorical your self with Rosetta Stone
These phrases can assist you get began in a dialog, however if you wish to go deep on how somebody is actually doing, you’ll have to know extra French than simply the fundamentals. Let your loved ones, pals, and the remainder of the world know what you’re feeling with Rosetta Stone!
As a substitute of memorizing vocabulary and phrase lists, immerse your self in a language utilizing audio from native audio system and real-world pictures. Plus, with quick 10 minute classes which you could full on the net or utilizing our app, Rosetta Stone simply suits into your schedule. Go to rosettastone.com to get began in French right this moment!
