Talking About How You Feel in French
Welcome back!
In Lesson 1, you learned how to say hello and introduce yourself.
In Lesson 2, you learned how to ask someone’s name and tell them your own.
Today, you’ll learn how to ask someone how they are and how to answer confidently in French.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:
- Ask “How are you?”
- Say how you feel
- Understand common replies
- Have a longer conversation in French
Let’s begin.
1. How Are You?
The most common way to ask someone how they are is:
Comment allez-vous ?
(Ko-mon tah-lay voo)
Meaning:
How are you?
This is the polite version.
Example:
Bonjour !
Comment allez-vous ?
Hello!
How are you?
2. I’m Fine
The most common reply is:
Je vais bien.
(Zhuh vay bee-en)
Meaning:
I am well.
Example:
Comment allez-vous ?
Je vais bien.
3. Very Well
If you’re feeling particularly good:
Très bien.
(Tray bee-en)
Meaning:
Very well.
Example:
Comment allez-vous ?
Très bien, merci.
4. Not Bad
A useful everyday response:
Pas mal.
(Pah mahl)
Meaning:
Not bad.
Example:
Comment allez-vous ?
Pas mal, merci.
5. So-So
Some days are just average.
Comme ci, comme ça.
(Kom see, kom sah)
Meaning:
So-so.
Example:
Comment allez-vous ?
Comme ci, comme ça.
6. Thank You
You’ll hear this all the time:
Merci.
(Mair-see)
Meaning:
Thank you.
Example:
Je vais bien, merci.
I am well, thank you.
7. And You?
A very useful phrase:
Et vous ?
(Ay voo)
Meaning:
And you?
Example:
Je vais bien, merci.
Et vous ?
8. A Simple Conversation
Person 1:
Bonjour !
Person 2:
Bonjour !
Person 1:
Comment allez-vous ?
Person 2:
Je vais bien, merci.
Et vous ?
Person 1:
Très bien, merci.
9. Practice Time
Read these answers aloud.
Je vais bien.
Très bien.
Pas mal.
Comme ci, comme ça.
Try saying each phrase three times.
Speaking aloud is the fastest way to improve.
10. Real-Life Example
Imagine you meet a neighbour in France.
You say:
Bonjour !
They reply:
Bonjour !
You ask:
Comment allez-vous ?
They answer:
Je vais bien, merci.
Et vous ?
You reply:
Très bien, merci.
Congratulations!
You’ve just had a simple French conversation.
Quick Practice
Translate these phrases into French.
- How are you?
- I am well.
- Very well.
- Thank you.
- And you?
Answers:
- Comment allez-vous ?
- Je vais bien.
- Très bien.
- Merci.
- Et vous ?
Mini Challenge
Can you say this conversation without looking?
Bonjour !
Bonjour !
Comment allez-vous ?
Je vais bien, merci.
Et vous ?
Très bien, merci.
If you can, you’re already starting to speak French.
Lesson Summary
Today you learned:
Comment allez-vous ? = How are you?
Je vais bien = I am well
Très bien = Very well
Pas mal = Not bad
Comme ci, comme ça = So-so
Merci = Thank you
Et vous ? = And you?
You now know enough French to greet someone, introduce yourself, and ask how they are.
That’s the foundation of countless conversations in France.
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