Short, practical French — one idea at a time.
“Comment ça va ?” is the everyday way to ask “How are you?” in French. Between friends you’ll often hear the short version, “Ça va ?”. With someone you don’t know, “Comment allez-vous ?” is more formal.
| Answer | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ça va bien, merci. | I’m well, thanks. |
| Très bien ! | Very well! |
| Pas mal. | Not bad. |
| Comme ci, comme ça. | So-so. |
| Bof… | Meh… |
Then return the question: “Et toi ?” with a friend, or “Et vous ?” with anyone else.
French has two ways to say “you”. Tu is informal: use it with friends, family, children and people your own age in relaxed settings. Vous is formal: use it with strangers, older people, in shops and restaurants, and at work. Vous is also the plural — whenever you speak to more than one person.
When in doubt, choose vous: it’s always polite. If the other person prefers tu, they’ll usually say so: “On peut se tutoyer ?” — “Shall we use tu?”
Say “Bonjour !” when you walk in — in France, skipping the greeting feels rude. Then order with “Je voudrais…, s’il vous plaît” (I would like…, please).
| You say | You get |
|---|---|
| un café | an espresso |
| un café crème | a coffee with hot milk |
| un thé | a tea |
| une carafe d’eau | a jug of tap water, usually free |
| un croissant | a croissant |
When you’re ready to leave: “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” — “The bill, please.”