C’est La Vie Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on September 10, 2024 by Isabella Claire

C’est la vie, a popular French phrase, has found its way into everyday English conversations. Literally translated as “this is the life,” the phrase is commonly used to express acceptance or resignation in the face of an unfortunate event, similar to saying “that’s life” or “oh well.” The versatile expression can be found in various contexts, including conversations, social media posts, and popular culture.

C’est La Vie Meaning and Origin

Key Takeaways

  • C’est la vie is a French phrase meaning “that’s life” or “oh well,” used in various contexts.
  • The phrase originated from the French language and is now commonly used in English.
  • C’est la vie serves as a reminder to accept life’s challenges and inevitable events.
C'est La Vie Meaning
C’est La Vie Meaning – Created by 7ESL

What Does C’est La Vie Mean?

“C’est la vie” is a French phrase that translates to “that’s life” or “such is life” in English. It’s often used to express acceptance or resignation in the face of a difficult or inevitable situation, implying that things happen, and we have to deal with them as part of life. It conveys a sense of acknowledging life’s ups and downs with a shrug or a sense of understanding.

Origin and Context of C’est La Vie

C’est la vie is a widely used expression that was found in French well before the expression was borrowed into English by the 1880s.

The expression is often used in a fatalistic sense to acknowledge that something less than ideal must be accepted because that’s just the way life is. For example, if someone lost their job and their home on the same day, one might respond with “c’est la vie” to imply that unfortunate circumstances are a natural part of life.

In French, a similar phrase is “ainsi va la vie,” which means “life goes that way” and can be used interchangeably with c’est la vie. Another French expression with a similar meaning is “c’est comme ça,” which translates to “it’s like that” or “that’s how it is.”

The phrase c’est la vie has made its way into popular culture through various songs, movies, and television shows. It has been used as a song title by artists like Robbie Nevil and B*Witched, as well as being featured in the lyrics of numerous songs across various genres. C’est la vie has also been used in comedy and film to highlight the unpredictability and inevitability of life’s circumstances.

Related Terms to C’est La Vie

  • Que sera, sera – A Spanish phrase meaning “What will be, will be,” often used to express acceptance of future events that are out of one’s control.
  • Such is life – An English expression that conveys the inevitability of life’s ups and downs, similar to “C’est la vie.”
  • That’s how it goes – A casual way to acknowledge life’s unpredictable nature or unfortunate events.
  • It is what it is – A modern English phrase used to accept a situation as it is, without trying to change it.
  • Life goes on – An expression that encourages moving forward despite difficulties or challenges.
  • So it goes – A phrase popularized by Kurt Vonnegut in his novel “Slaughterhouse-Five,” used to convey a sense of fatalism or acceptance of events, especially those beyond human control.
  • Let it be – A phrase popularized by The Beatles, suggesting peace or acceptance in the face of uncontrollable circumstances.

These phrases share a common theme of accepting life’s unpredictable and sometimes uncontrollable nature.

C’est La Vie Synonyms

There are numerous ways to express a similar sentiment to c’est la vie in English. Some of the common synonyms include:

  • It is what it is: This phrase conveys a similar sense of acceptance or resignation when faced with a situation that cannot be changed.
  • That’s war: While this phrase may not be as commonly used, it also denotes acceptance and the fact that certain situations are inevitable in life.
  • This is the life: Given that c’est la vie literally translates to “this is the life,” this phrase can be considered a synonym, especially in the context of embracing life’s ups and downs.

C’est La Vie Examples

In Conversations

C’est la vie, a French phrase that translates to “that’s life,” is used in conversations to express acceptance or resignation in the face of unfortunate events. Here are some examples:

  • Je n’ai pas obtenu le poste. C’est la vie. (I didn’t get the job. That’s life.)
  • Il a oublié notre anniversaire. C’est la vie. (He forgot our anniversary. That’s life.)

In Texting

In the context of texting or instant messaging, C’est la vie can be used as a response to unfortunate news or events. The phrase is often spelled as it is in French, but some users also abbreviate it as ‘CLV.’ The tone remains informal and resigned. Some examples include:

  • Friend: “I missed the bus again.” Response: “C’est la vie.”

In Social Posts

On social media platforms, users might employ C’est la vie to caption a photo, video, or status update that reflects a less-than-ideal situation or as a response to someone else’s post. Examples include:

  • A picture of a broken umbrella with the caption, C’est la vie.
  • A comment on a friend’s post about losing their luggage, saying, C’est la vie, I’m sure you’ll make the best of it!

In Popular Culture

C’est la vie has also found its way into various popular culture mediums like music, movies, and television. Some examples are:

  1. The song “C’est la Vie” by Robbie Nevil, featuring the phrase in the chorus.
  2. The French film “C’est la vie!” (2017) which revolves around a hectic wedding, emphasizing the chaotic nature of life.
  3. The use of the phrase in famous movies and TV shows, such as Forrest Gump and Friends, as a way for characters to accept that life is unpredictable.
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