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    aller bien / mal (to be doing well / badly)

    Grammar & Usage

    verbal phrase
    neutral

    How it works

    Formed using the irregular verb 'aller' (to go) combined with the adverbs 'bien' (well) or 'mal' (badly). It is used to describe a person's physical health, emotional well-being, or the state/progress of a situation. When applied to people, French uses 'aller' rather than 'être' (to be) to ask or state how one is doing.

    Sample sentences

    Comment vas-tu aujourd'hui ? — Je vais très bien, merci !

    How are you doing today? — I am doing very well, thank you!

    Depuis quelques jours, son grand-père va assez mal.

    For the past few days, his grandfather has been doing quite poorly.

    Les affaires vont bien en ce moment malgré la crise.

    Business is going well right now despite the crisis.

    Quick facts

    usage_note:Do not confuse with 'être bien' (which means to feel comfortable, well-situated, or good-looking).
    verb_group:3rd group (irregular: je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons, vous allez, ils vont)
    pronominal_variant:Often used impersonally with the demonstrative pronoun 'ça' ('Ça va bien').

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    Comment vas-tu aujourd'hui ? — Je vais très bien, merci !

    How are you doing today? — I am doing very well, thank you!

    Depuis quelques jours, son grand-père va assez mal.

    For the past few days, his grandfather has been doing quite poorly.

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