French · Real conversations
How to respond to “Comment vas-tu ?” in French
You can answer briefly or share a little more. Returning the question keeps a casual check-in balanced.
What you might hear
Comment vas-tu ?
How are you?
Choose a reply that fits
Bien, merci. Et toi ?
Fine, thanks. And you?
A brief positive answer that returns the question.
Un peu fatigué / fatiguée, mais ça va.
A little tired, but okay.
An honest short update without a long explanation.
Très bien, merci.
Very well, thanks.
A positive answer suitable for a routine check-in.
J'ai eu une journée difficile.
I've had a difficult day.
Share a difficulty only if you want to discuss it.
Two short exchanges
A routine check-in
Comment vas-tu ?
How are you?
Bien, merci. Et toi ?
Fine, thanks. And you?
A friend asking how you have been
Comment vas-tu ces derniers temps ?
How have you been?
Un peu fatigué / fatiguée, mais ça va.
A little tired, but okay.
Your turn
Give a short positive answer to a routine check-in.
Reveal a sample reply
Très bien, merci.
Very well, thanks.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
