Comment vas-tu?

How are you?

Breakdown of Comment vas-tu?

• tu: you (informal singular)
• aller: to go
• comment: how

Questions & Answers about Comment vas-tu?

What does Comment vas-tu? mean in English?

It translates to How are you? This sentence is used to ask someone about their well-being in an informal context.

How is the sentence Comment vas-tu? structured grammatically?

The sentence begins with comment, meaning how. It then uses the verb vas, which is the second-person singular present form of aller (to go/to be). Finally, tu is the informal singular pronoun for you. This inversion of verb and subject is a standard way of forming questions in French.

Why is tu used instead of vous in this question?

Tu indicates an informal, familiar address. Comment vas-tu? is used with friends, family, or others you know well. Using vous (as in Comment allez-vous?) would be appropriate in formal situations or when speaking to more than one person.

When should I use Comment vas-tu? compared to other versions like Comment allez-vous?

Use Comment vas-tu? in informal settings with people you are comfortable with. Reserve Comment allez-vous? for formal situations or when addressing multiple people, to maintain the appropriate level of politeness.