A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How have you been" in French
A polite and standard way to ask someone how they are doing in French.
Comment allez-vous ?
koh-mahn tah-lay VOOneutral
French TTS · 0:01
This is your go-to phrase when you haven't seen someone in a little while and want to inquire about their well-being. Use it with people you know but aren't extremely close with, or in any situation where politeness is key.
Alternatives
- Comment ça va ?This is more informal and very common in everyday conversation.
- Ça va ?The most casual and brief option, used among friends and peers.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the final 't' in 'comment'
The 't' in 'comment' is silent; it's pronounced 'koh-mahn'.
Forgetting the liaison
You must link the 't' from 'comment' to the 'a' in 'allez' to make the 't' sound: 'comment-allez'.
A small cultural note
While 'Comment allez-vous ?' is perfectly standard, many French speakers will follow up with a 'Ça va ?' or 'Vous allez bien ?' to sound more natural and less like a textbook.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How do I answer 'Comment allez-vous ?'
A common and polite response is 'Très bien, merci, et vous ?' (Very well, thank you, and you?). You can also say 'Ça va bien' or 'Pas mal' (Not bad).
What's the difference between 'Comment allez-vous ?' and 'Comment ça va ?'
'Comment allez-vous ?' uses the formal 'vous' and is more polite, suitable for most situations. 'Comment ça va ?' is more informal and used with people you know well.
Can I use 'Comment allez-vous ?' with friends?
You can, but it might sound a bit formal. With close friends, it's more common to use 'Comment vas-tu ?' or simply 'Ça va ?'.
