What does c est la vie mean literally?

In French, c'est la vie means “ that's life ,” borrowed into English as idiom to express acceptance or resignation, much like Oh well.

What is the English equivalent of C'est la vie?

The iconic French phrase c'est la vie literally translates to “ that's life ” or “such is life.” In other words, “This is how it is” – often with the implication that there's nothing you can do about it.

Is c'est la vie positive or negative?

"C'est la vie" can also be used in a positive way . For winning the jackpot, it would mean that life can bring good things sometimes. In fact "C'est la vie" means "sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and you have no control over it" so it can be used in both positive and negative ways. (and it is actually)).

What is another word for c'est la vie?

On this page you'll find 9 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to c'est la vie, such as: it is fated, it's in the cards, oh well, que sera sera, such is life, and that's how the cookie crumbles .

What does La Vie mean in English?

la vie. feminine noun. life. être en vie to be alive .

Do French people use C'est la vie?

Usage notes: Ask 10 people if they know any French phrases, and probably 9 of them will say c'est la vie . Funnily enough, this fatalistic expression is used far more in English than in its native French, though the meaning is the same in both: c'est la vie acknowledges a less-than-ideal situation even as it accepts it.

What does soo la voo mean in French?

'As the French say, “soo la voo”, or whatever . ' In sum, French had a profound effect on English vocabulary, I say to myself, as I sip a swig of lemonade at the café terrace – and yes, the three words are borrowed from French.

What does C est mean in French?

C'est means ' it is' or 'that is' . • c'est + (masculine singular) adjective: C'est génial ! / C'est chaud / C'est cher.

What is the meaning of Merci La Vie?

Merci la vie (English: " Thank You Life ") is a 1991 French film written and directed by Bertrand Blier.

What does "que sera sera" mean?

Que sera, sera means ' whatever will be, will be '. The translation is closest to Spanish, but it really is Italian in origin. The phrase became a major part of the lexicon when Doris Day had a big hit with the song 'Que Sera, Sera'. '

What does "c'est la vie" mean in English slang?

: that's life : that's how things happen.

What does c est la vie mon cheri mean?

Title. The movie is sometimes referred to as C'est la vie, mon chérie even though this is grammatically incorrect in French (either "mon chéri" or "ma chérie" is grammatically correct). The title may be roughly translated as " That's life, my darling/love ".

What does oui vie mean in English?

Oy vey (Yiddish: אױ װײ) is a Yiddish phrase expressing dismay or exasperation. Also spelled oy vay, oy veh, or oi vey, and often abbreviated to oy, the expression may be translated as "oh, woe!" or "woe is me!" Its Hebrew equivalent is oy vavoy (אוי ואבוי, ój va'avój).

What does le pain c est la vie mean?

It means " bread of life ". Advertising. 48 Moi, je suis le pain de la vie. 48 yI am that bread of life.

C'est La Vie French Meaning, Translation & Pronunciation (2024)

C’est la vie (Meaning: “that’s life”) is a phrase that’s made its way into popular songs, movies, and cultures around the world. Despite the fact that it comes from the French language, English speakers also use c’est la vie.Keep reading to find out the French really use c’est la vie as well as a list of top songs using this popular French expression.

/say lah vee/

C'est La Vie French Meaning, Translation & Pronunciation (1)

In English, the translation of c’est la vie is “that’s life” or “such is life.” But whether you say it in English or French, you pronounce the expression “say-la-VEE.”

While the exact origin of the expression is a mystery, c’est la vie comes from the idea that there are certain moments in life that seem destined to happen and are thus inevitable. When I first moved to France I had a few little mishaps while I adjusted to French culture.

For example, in the United States it’s common for grocery stores and drug stores to be open 24/7, but in France that is not the case. Most grocery stores and pharmacies in France close around 8 or 9pm. And some pharmacies will even close during lunchtime.

There were many times when I first moved to France where I found myself forgetting this cultural difference and I would arrive at the store and find it closed. This is one of many moments where I’d have to tell myself “c’est la vie.”

How to Use C’est La Vie in French vs. English

Interestingly, the phrase c’est la vie has been used in English since the 1880s. English speakers will often use it in a similar context as the one I mentioned above.

But here are a few ways to use c’est la vie in a sentence in both French and English:

Despite trying to get a few different jobs in Paris, it seemed no one was hiring. C’est la vie.

The old dive bar in my town turned into an indoor cycling studio. Well, c’est la vie.

On ne peut pas toujours gagner. C’est la vie.

We can’t always win. That’s life.

C’est La Vie Alternatives

But if you’re looking for a few other c’est la vie alternatives, here are some great ones in both French and English:

French:

Ainsi va la vie.

Meaning: Literally meaning, “life goes that way,” ainsi va la vie can be used to replace phrases like c’est la vie or “that’s life.”

C’est comme ça.

Meaning: C’est comme ça literally means “it is like that.” But you can use it in contexts where you might say “that’s the way it is.”

Que voulez-vous !

Meaning: When posed as a question, que voulez-vous means “what do you want?” But when used as an exclamation or mid-sentence it means “what can I do?” or “such is life.”

English:

That’s the way the cookie crumbles.

Famous French C’est La Vie quotes

C‘est la vie isn’t just used in day-to-day life in France, it’s also in a few famous quotes.

“Rêver, c’est le bonheur ; attendre, c’est la vie.” – Victor Hugo (Artist, Poet, Author)
Meaning: To dream, that is happiness, to wait, that is life.

“La vie, c’est Paris ! Paris, c’est la vie !” – Marie Bashkirtseff (Artist, Painter, and Sculptor)
Meaning: Life, that’s Paris! Paris, that’s life!

“Une maison sans chat,c’est la viesans soleil.” – Therese Burson (Author)
Meaning: A house without a cat, that’s life without the sun.

C'est La Vie French Meaning, Translation & Pronunciation (3)

C’est La Vie Songs

With a phrase as popular as c’est la vie, it’s no surprise you can find it throughout pop culture. From songs to book titles to movies, you’ve probably seen the phrase c’est la vie in more than one place.

There are actually a few different songs titled C’est La Vie. In the English-speaking world, the most famous is probably C’est La Vie by Irish girl group B*Witched.

But there’s also the ‘80s favorite C’est La Vie by Robbie McNeil.

Another English language song is actually by an Austrian singer and is C’est La Vie by Zoë Straub.

And finally, for all of my French and Arabic speakers, there is the most famous C’est La Vie song of them all: C’est La Vie by Algerian raï singer Khaled. With over 334 million views on YouTube, C’est La Vie by Khaled went on to rank as the top 5 songs in Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

You’ll also find a French film called C’est La Vie as well as a famous English book called C’est La Vie: The French Art of Letting Go.

Discover more:

25 popular French expressions
60 essential French slang words
Touché meaning and translations
Oh la la meaning and uses

Calli Zarpas

Calli Zarpas, blogger, producer, and content creator, is a lover of all things travel, wellness, and French. Having begun traveling in herteens, Calli visited 30 countries before settling down in France post-college. When she's not writing French-languagecontent for FrenchLearner or traveling the world, you can find Calli creating content for herself and others onInstagram and her blog,Wooish.

See Full Bio