Learning French: what does ça va aller mean and when should it be used?

One of the most common French introductory phrases is ça va, but have you heard of ça va aller?

We look at how to level-up your use of this easy saying to sound just like a native French speaker. 

You are sure to find numerous occasions to slip ça va aller into your everyday conversations when giving encouragement or rejecting an offer.

What does ça va aller mean?

This popular phrase literally translates as: it is going to go.

A more appropriate meaning is: it is going to be alright, it will be okay, or things will get better.

It can be said as a way of offering encouragement or reassurance to someone who is upset, ill or going through a challenging period.

French synonyms include:

• Tout va bien se passer - All will be well

• Tout ira bien - Everything will be okay

• Les choses vont s'arranger - Things will work themselves out

• Gardez le courage - Keep your chin up

Saying ça va aller can of course be used sarcastically as a condescending way of implying that someone is overreacting and needs to calm down.

It also be used in a slightly different way, to mean: no thank you, no need or I’m alright.

You might even hear ça va mal aller, which implies the opposite meaning: that things are going to go badly wrong.

Read also 13 shortened words and phrases you will hear in spoken French

When do you say ça va aller?

You can say this to offer encouragement or reassurance:

• Ne t'inquiète pas pour ton examen, ça va aller. - Don’t worry about your exam, it is going to go well.

It can also be used as a question when asking if someone will be okay:

• J'ai besoin que tu ailles chercher ta mère à la gare ce midi, ça va aller ? - I need you to get your mum from the train station at midday, can you do that?

It can also be said when rejecting someone’s offer:

• Statement: Vous avez besoin d'aide pour porter vos bagages ? - Do you need any help carrying your bags?

• Response: Non, ça va aller, merci. - I’ll be fine, thanks.

You might also hear ça ira (the future conjugation of aller) which is sometimes used as a synonym:

• Ca ira, je n'ai pas besoin du ticket de caisse. - It’s okay, I don’t need the receipt. 

Read also: Watch out for the many French verbs ‘to walk’ - they can trip you up

To whom do you say ça va aller?

It is neutral language and can be used in a range of formal or informal contexts, with friends and family.

It is mainly heard in spoken French rather than being written down.

Read also: Ski-speak: Eight expressions to speak like a local skier in France