ça va

fr
en
Change language
Translating...
how are you?, are you okay?, I'm okay, it's fine, that's enough
Find language
العربية الفصحى
Arabic (Standard)
Deutsch
German
Español
Spanish
Français
French
Italiano
Italian
/sa va/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A familiar way to check whether things are going well or to say how they are going.
Practice using ça va in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Bonjour Léa ! Ça va ?
    Hello, Léa! How are you?
  • Salut, ça va ?
    Hi, how are you?
  • Ne t'inquiète pas pour moi, ça va.
    Don't worry about me, I'm fine.
  • Tu m'as déjà expliqué trois fois. Ça va !
    You've already explained it three times. Enough!
  • Ça va, arrête de crier !
    That's enough, stop shouting!

Similar words

ça suffit
arrête
comment vas-tu ?
c'est bon
assez
ça marche
comment allez-vous ?
tout va bien

Meanings

Ask how someone is

greetings
informal
A casual greeting asking whether someone is well or how things are going.

Examples

  • Salut, ça va ?
    Hi, how are you?
  • Tu as l'air fatigué, ça va ?
    You look tired. Are you okay?
  • Ça va, depuis ton déménagement ?
    How are things since your move?
  • Bonjour Léa ! Ça va ?
    Hello, Léa! How are you?
  • Je voulais prendre de tes nouvelles. Ça va ?
    I wanted to check in. Are you doing okay?

Similar words

comment vas-tu ?
comment allez-vous ?

Say things are okay

everyday
informal
A short answer saying that a person or situation is doing reasonably well, or that a suggestion is acceptable.

Examples

  • Merci, ça va.
    Thanks, I'm fine.
  • Tu veux de l'aide ? Non, ça va.
    Do you need help? No, I'm okay.
  • Cette taille te convient ? Oui, ça va.
    Does this size fit you? Yes, it's fine.
  • Ce n'est pas parfait, mais ça va.
    It's not perfect, but it's okay.
  • Ne t'inquiète pas pour moi, ça va.
    Don't worry about me, I'm fine.

Similar words

tout va bien
c'est bon
ça marche

Say that is enough

conversation
informal
An impatient way to tell someone to stop because enough has been said or done.

Examples

  • Ça va, arrête de crier !
    That's enough, stop shouting!
  • Tu m'as déjà expliqué trois fois. Ça va !
    You've already explained it three times. Enough!
  • Ça va, je peux le faire seul.
    That's enough, I can do it myself.
  • Bon, ça va, on a compris.
    Okay, we get it now.
  • Ça va comme ça, merci.
    That's enough like that, thanks.

Similar words

ça suffit
assez
arrête

Etymology

The phrase joins ça, ‘that’ or ‘things’, with va, the present form of aller, ‘to go’.

FAQ

What does ça va mean as a question?

It asks how are you? or are things okay?

How can ça va answer that question?

As a reply, it usually means I'm okay or things are fine.

Can ça va mean ‘enough’?

Yes. Said firmly, ça va ! can tell someone to stop.

Is ça va formal?

No. It is a familiar everyday expression. Comment allez-vous ? is more formal.

Why does ça va use aller?

Va is a form of aller, ‘to go’, so the phrase asks or says how things are going.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...