Spanish Phrase
¿Cómo va todo?
Meaning
A casual way to ask someone how things are going in general. It can refer to a person's mood, work, studies, or any ongoing situation.
When to use
Use in informal conversations with friends, family, or colleagues you know well. It’s too casual for formal business meetings or with strangers you need to address politely.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cómovatodo?
¿Cómo
Interrogative adverb meaning 'how', used to ask about manner or condition.
va
Third‑person singular present of the verb *ir* (to go). In this idiom it functions like 'is going' in English.
todo
Neuter pronoun meaning 'everything' or 'all', used here as the subject of *va*.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cómo va todo?
How's everything going?
Todo bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
All good, thanks. And you?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Cómo está todo?
Use *va* (go) with *todo*; *está* is for location or state, not for the idiomatic ‘how’s it going’.
¿Cómo vas todo?
*vas* is second‑person singular; the subject here is the neuter pronoun *todo*, which requires third‑person *va*.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué tal?
How's it going?
¿Cómo te va?
How are you doing?
¿Cómo están las cosas?
How are things?
¿Qué pasa?
What's up?
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries this phrase is a friendly check‑in, not a deep interrogation. It’s common to answer with a brief positive response (e.g., “Todo bien”) before moving on. In Mexico and parts of Central America people often prefer “¿Qué tal?” while in Spain “¿Cómo va todo?” is equally natural. Remember that *todo* is neuter, so it never changes gender.