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French Phrase

Salut. Ça va aujourd'hui ?

/sa.ly sa va o.ʒuʁ.dɥi ?/
Meaning"Hi. How are you today?"
💡

Meaning

A casual way to say hello and ask someone how they are feeling today. The phrase mixes the informal greeting *Salut* with the idiomatic *ça va?* (how are you?) and adds *aujourd'hui* to pinpoint the present day.

🎯

When to use

Use with friends, classmates, or anyone you have an informal relationship with. It’s perfect for a quick check‑in in the morning, after a break, or when you bump into someone on the street. Avoid in formal business meetings or with people you’d address with *Monsieur/Madame*.

✦Grammar Breakdown

SalutÇavaaujourd'hui?

1

Salut

An informal greeting equivalent to “Hi”. Use with friends, family, or peers.

2

Ça

Demonstrative pronoun meaning “it/that”. In the expression “ça va”, it functions as a dummy subject.

3

va

Third‑person singular of the verb *aller* used idiomatically to ask “how are you?”.

4

aujourd'hui

Adverb meaning “today”. Placed after the verb phrase to specify the time.

5

French punctuation

A space (non‑breaking) is required before the question mark in written French.

🗨In Conversation

A

Salut. Ça va aujourd'hui ?

Hi. How are you today?

Ça va, merci. Et toi ?

I’m good, thanks. And you?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Salut. Ça vas aujourd'hui ?

    The verb *aller* must stay in the third‑person singular *va* when used in the idiom *ça va*.

  • Salut. Ça va aujourd'hui?

    French punctuation requires a non‑breaking space before the question mark; writing it without a space looks like an English style.

  • Salut. Ça va aujourd'hui ?

    Use the right‑hand apostrophe (’), not a straight single quote (').

↔Alternatives

  • Salut, comment ça va aujourd'hui ?

    Hi, how are you today?

  • Bonjour, ça va aujourd'hui ?

    Hello, how are you today?

  • Hey, ça va aujourd'hui ?

    Hey, how are you today?

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Cultural Tip

In French, *Salut* is strictly informal; switch to *Bonjour* or *Bonsoir* when you need a polite tone. The response to *Ça va ?* can be as short as *Ça va* (I’m fine) or expanded to *Ça va bien / pas mal / comme ci, comme ça*. Adding *aujourd'hui* is optional but helps focus the conversation on the current day.