Using the French Expression Ça Va in Conversation

Using the French Expression Ça Va in Conversation The expression  Ãƒ §a  va  (pronounced sah vah)  is one of the most common phrases in French. Improve your skills by learning the correct way to use the phrase à §a  va  in a sentence or dialogue. Meaning of Ça Va Literally translated, à §a  va means it goes. Used in casual conversation,  it can be both a question and a reply, but its an informal expression. You probably wouldnt want to ask your boss or a stranger this question unless the setting was casual. But if youre speaking with people whom you know, such as family and friends,  Ãƒ §a  va is perfectly acceptable. Asking a Question One of the most common uses of à §a  va  is as a greeting or to ask how someone is doing. For example: Salut, Guy, à §a va? /  Hi, Guy, hows it going?Comment à §a va? /  Hows it going? The expression can also be used with a subject or object. Note that the phrase doesnt vary. No change is necessary for a plural subject: Ça va les filles? /  Hows it going, girls?Ça va le nouvel ordi? /  Hows the new computer working? You can also use the phrase to ask whether something just discussed is acceptable: On va partir vers midi, à §a va? / Well leave around noon, is that OK? Does that work for you? Using Ça Va in Conversation You can answer any of the previous examples as well as any similar questions with à §a va  in conversations. The dialogue below provides an example of how to use the phrase when talking informally with a friend or acquaintance. The sentences are listed in French on the left followed by the English translation. Ça va, Marc?  /  Hows it going, Marc?Oui, à §a  va. / Fine.Tu vas bien, Andrà ©? /  Are you OK, Andrà ©?Ça va. /  Yes, Im OK.Il faut à ªtre prà ªt dans une heure, à §a va  ? / You have to be ready in an hour, OK?Ça va. / OK. The expression à §a  va can also be an exclamation: Oh! Ça va! /  Hey, thats enough! Other Uses Ça va plus an infinitive can mean simply it will. This construction can be useful when youre speaking about something that will occur, but you dont know precisely when. For instance: Ça va venir / Itll happen, it will come. Ça va plus an indirect object pronoun means, That looks good on ___, or It suits ___. For instance, a pair of friends shopping for clothes might have this exchange: Ça te va (bien)  / That suits you.Ça lui va bien / That looks good on him/her. Variations of Ça Va The table below provides a few other ways to use  Ãƒ §a  va.  The first column gives the sentence with  Ãƒ §a  va  in French, while the second column provides the English translation. French English Translation Ça va aller? Will it be OK? Will that work? Ça va aller It will be OK. Ça va bien? Is it going well? Are you doing well? Ça va bien It's going well. I'm doing well. Ça va mal It's going badly. I'm not doing so well. Ça (ne) va pas It's not going well. It's not OK. Practice using  Ãƒ §a  va  with another student working to learn the language and youll soon be using this important French phrase like a native speaker.