va

Everyday

1. (abbreviation) VA is short for Virginia, a state in the United States, in addresses. tree →
2. (abbreviation) In the USA, the VA is the Department of Veterans Affairs, which helps people who served in the armed forces. tree →
3. (French) «Va» is French for "goes" or "go!"; «ça va?» means "how are you?" or "all right?", and sounds like "sa VAH". It is not an English word. tree →

In the lessons

On its own, «va» is not an English word. In geography and addresses it is the postal code for Virginia (Richmond, VA). In French lessons, pupils meet «Ça va?» — «Ça va bien, merci» (I'm fine, thanks); «il va» means "he goes" or "he is going". In electricity, VA (volt-ampere) is a unit on some chargers. Phrases: «ça va», «Richmond, VA», «the VA hospital».

Examples

• (French) "Ça va?" "Oui, ça va bien, merci!" tree →
• (French) Il va à l'école — he goes to school. tree →
• The letter was sent to Arlington, VA. tree →
• (USA) Grandpa gets help from the VA because he was a soldier. tree →
• (French) "Va!" shouted the mother — "Go!" tree →
• The charger says 500 VA on the label. tree →

Note

As an abbreviation, write it in capitals: VA. In French, «va» comes from the verb «aller» (to go): je vais, tu vas, il/elle va. «Ça va» can be a question (How are things?) or an answer (Fine). Do not read «va» as part of an English sentence unless it is one of these.