Bedeutung
A common reply indicating one's poor well-being.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, 'Ça va mal' is a socially acceptable way to start a conversation. It's seen as authentic rather than negative. Quebecers might use 'Ça va mal' but often prefer 'Ça va pas bien' or the slang 'C'est plate'. In Francophone West Africa, greetings are very long. 'Ça va mal' might be followed by many specific questions about family and health. Belgians use 'Ça va mal' similarly to the French, but might follow it with specific Belgian expressions of frustration like 'Quelle affaire !'
Body Language
When saying 'Ça va mal', a small shrug or a downward turn of the mouth adds native-like authenticity.
Don't over-complain
While the French like to complain, saying 'Ça va mal' every single time someone says hello might make you seem too pessimistic.
Bedeutung
A common reply indicating one's poor well-being.
Body Language
When saying 'Ça va mal', a small shrug or a downward turn of the mouth adds native-like authenticity.
Don't over-complain
While the French like to complain, saying 'Ça va mal' every single time someone says hello might make you seem too pessimistic.
The 'Honesty' Rule
In France, it's okay to not be okay. Don't feel pressured to say 'Ça va bien' if it's not true.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb.
Comment ça va ? - Ça va ___.
'Mal' is the adverb used with 'aller' to describe how things are going.
Which sentence is correct to say 'Things are going badly'?
Choose the correct option:
We use the verb 'aller' (va) for well-being, not 'être' (suis/est).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu as l'air triste. B: Oui, ___ ___ ___ avec mon copain.
The context of being 'triste' (sad) suggests a negative response.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Your car broke down on the highway.
A broken car is a negative situation requiring 'Ça va mal'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
The 'Ça va' Spectrum
When to say 'Ça va mal'
Health
- • Flu
- • Headache
- • Tiredness
Work
- • Deadlines
- • Bad boss
- • Stress
Life
- • Broken car
- • Rainy weather
- • Lost keys
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenComment ça va ? - Ça va ___.
'Mal' is the adverb used with 'aller' to describe how things are going.
Choose the correct option:
We use the verb 'aller' (va) for well-being, not 'être' (suis/est).
A: Tu as l'air triste. B: Oui, ___ ___ ___ avec mon copain.
The context of being 'triste' (sad) suggests a negative response.
Your car broke down on the highway.
A broken car is a negative situation requiring 'Ça va mal'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenNo, it's just honest. However, with a stranger, it might be 'too much information'.
Yes, if you are talking about a specific person (e.g., 'Mon frère va mal').
'Ça va mal' is slightly more intense. 'Ça ne va pas' is a more common, everyday negation.
Usually no. For a broken car, you'd say 'Elle est en panne'. But you can say 'Ça va mal pour ma voiture'.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or your boss if you have a good relationship.
Add 'très': 'Ça va très mal'.
Yes, it's very common in texting. You might even see 'Ça va mal...' with an ellipsis.
No, it can mean finances, love life, or just a bad day.
The opposite is 'Ça va bien' or 'Tout va bien'.
Because 'aller' is a verb of movement/state and requires an adverb (mal), not an adjective (mauvais).
No, it is standard French.
No, 'malement' is not a word in modern French.
Say 'Ça va un peu mal' or 'Ça ne va pas fort'.
Yes, to describe a bad market or a failing project.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Ça va pas
similarIt's not going well
Ça craint
slangThat sucks
Tout va bien
contrastEverything is going well
Ça va de soi
builds onIt goes without saying
Mal en point
specialized formIn a bad way / in poor health
