A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "What's up" in French
The most common casual French greeting, perfect for friends and acquaintances.
Ça va ?
SAH VAHcasual
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you see someone you know, like a friend, colleague, or even a shopkeeper you see regularly. It's a quick way to check in and say hello.
Alternatives
- Comment ça va ?Slightly more complete, but still very common.
- Quoi de neuf ?More like 'What's new?' and very informal.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 't' in 'ça'
The 't' in 'ça' is silent; it's pronounced 'sah', not 'sah-tah'.
Confusing 'ça' and 'sa'
'Ça' means 'that' or 'it' and is used here; 'sa' is a possessive adjective (her/his).
A small cultural note
While 'Ça va ?' is ubiquitous, some people might find it a bit too familiar if you're meeting them for the very first time, especially in a formal setting.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to respond to Ça va ?
You can say 'Ça va, et toi ?' (I'm fine, and you?) or simply 'Oui, ça va.' If you're not doing well, you can say 'Pas très bien.' (Not very well.)
Is Ça va ? too informal for a shopkeeper?
It depends on the shopkeeper and how often you go there. For a first encounter, 'Bonjour' is safer. If you're a regular, 'Ça va ?' is usually fine.
What's the difference between Ça va ? and Comment allez-vous ?
'Ça va ?' is casual and used with 'tu'. 'Comment allez-vous ?' is formal and used with 'vous'.
