You can say How are you in French on any occasion. But we’ll also teach you how to say it like a native!
How Are You in French
How are you? This is a question that many of us know the answer to, but it can feel so impersonal when it’s asked in English. Asking someone how they are in French shows you that you care about them and value their company.
There are many ways to say this in French, and some phrases sound much nicer than others! Read on for seven great ways to respond to this question without appearing inappropriate or fake.
What is your name?
This is where you can learn the other person’s name and perhaps even get their first name in return. If you want to sound a little more friendly, you could add this question as part of your normal conversation with someone.
It’s also a good idea to keep this question in mind if you want to use the person’s name in a sentence later on. It may be a good idea to ask them how they’re doing and follow it up with, “How are you?”
You could even ask someone how they’re feeling and then try to catch them off guard and ask how they’re doing. It’s a great way to break the ice.
How are you? (informal)
This is a very casual way to ask someone how they are. You’re not sounding like you’re trying too hard, and you do not sound like you care too much.
This phrase is especially nice to hear from someone you don’t know well. It’s a good way to get to know someone because you’re both able to become comfortable with each other.
It’s also a nice way to break the ice with someone you work with, a friend, or a family member.
Bonjour! (Hello!)
If you want to say “Hello” in French, you could try “Bonjour!” This is a much nicer way to say “Hello” than the typical French greeting “Salut”. “Bonjour” feels much more friendly, cheerful and welcoming.
You could also use this to greet someone you don’t know as well, and you could use it to show that you’re friendly and not trying too hard.
Comment allez-vous? (How are you?)
“Comment Allez-Vous?” is best used with someone who you know better or who you’ve been talking to a lot. It’s a great way to keep the conversation going and to show that you’re interested.
It’s also a good way to check in with someone you know is feeling down. If you hear someone say this to you, it’s a great way to show that you care and to let them know that you’re there for them.
Bien, merci! (Fine, thank you!)
“Bien merci” is a great way to say, “Fine, thank you.” It’s very polite and shows that you’re not being too demanding.
If you’re trying to get someone to stop offering you things, or if you’re trying not to seem like you’re trying too hard, saying this can be a helpful way to tone things down.
Ça VA? (Okay?)
“Ça VA?” is a nice way to ask someone how they’re doing. It’s a very casual way to ask someone how they’re doing and a nice way to show that you care.
You could also try to use this with someone you know or have been talking to.
Sorry/Excuse me (Sorry)
“Sorry” in French is “Excusez-moi”. You could also try to say “Excuse me” if you want to sound a little nicer.
This is a good phrase if you bump into someone in a store or accidentally step on someone’s foot.
I’m sorry/I apologize. (I’m sorry/I apologize)
“I’m sorry” in French is “Je suis désolé(e)”. If you don’t know the person well, it’s a nice way to apologize without being too forward.
If you want to apologize for less, you could try saying, “I apologize”. This phrase is nice to say because you’re using words that sound very beautiful.
You could try saying “Je m’excuse” when you want to sound less forward. This phrase is less formal than “Je m’excuse”, and it’s a good way to apologize without being too forward.
What’s wrong?
If you want to check in with someone and see how they’re doing, you could try saying, “Qu’est-ce qui se passe?”. This phrase is best used with someone you know or have been talking to.
It’s a good way to show that you care and a good way to check in with someone.
Is everything okay?
If you want to check in with someone and see how they’re doing, you could try saying, “Tout Va Bien?”. This phrase is best used with someone you know or have been talking to.
It’s a good way to show that you care and a good way to check in with someone.
Are you feeling better?
If you want to check in with someone, and you’ve been talking to them a lot, you could try saying, “As-tu appris mieux?”. This phrase is best used with someone you know or have been talking to.
It’s also an excellent way to show that you care.
Is there anything I can do?
If you’ve been talking to someone a lot and feel like they need help, you could try saying, “Est-ce qu’il/elle a besoin d’aide?”. This phrase is best used with someone you know or have been talking to.
It’s a good way to show that you care and a good way to check in with someone.
Are you okay?
If you want to check in with someone, and you’ve been talking to them a lot, you could try saying, “Est-ce que ça va?”. This phrase is best used with someone you know or have been talking to.