Spanish Phrase
¿Cómo van las cosas?
Meaning
Literally “How are the things going?”, this phrase is the Spanish equivalent of “How are things?” or “How’s everything?”. It asks for a general update on a person’s life, work, or a specific situation.
When to use
Use it in informal or semi‑formal settings—when chatting with friends, coworkers, or acquaintances you know well. It’s a friendly, open‑ended check‑in that invites the other person to share good news, challenges, or anything in between.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cómovanlascosas?
¿Cómo?
Interrogative adverb meaning “how”. It introduces a question about manner, condition, or state.
van
Third‑person plural present of the verb *ir* (to go). In this idiom it functions like “are going” or “are doing”.
las cosas
Literal “the things”; used generically to refer to a person’s life, work, or any ongoing situation.
Question marks
Spanish uses an opening (¿) and closing (?) question mark for every interrogative sentence.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cómo van las cosas?
How are things going?
Todo bien, gracias. Acabo de terminar un proyecto importante en el trabajo.
All good, thanks. I just finished an important project at work.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Cómo van los cosas?
‘Cosas’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘las’, not ‘los’.
¿Cómo están las cosas?
While *estar* can describe a state, the idiomatic expression uses *ir* (van). Using *están* sounds unnatural.
¿Cómo van la cosa?
Singular ‘cosa’ changes the meaning; the phrase is meant to be plural.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué tal?
How’s it going?
¿Cómo está todo?
How’s everything?
¿Cómo te va?
How are you doing?
¿Qué hay de nuevo?
What’s new?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, asking about "las cosas" is a polite way to show interest without prying into personal details. Adjust the level of formality by pairing it with a title (e.g., "¿Cómo van las cosas, señor Pérez?") or by using a more casual alternative like "¿Qué tal?". In some regions, especially in Mexico, people may answer with a brief "Todo bien" even if things are not perfect, so listen for cues that invite a deeper conversation.