Meaning of French c’est la vie in English

The French phrase c’est la vie translates to “that’s life” or “such is life” in English. It expresses acceptance of life’s ups and downs, often implying that some things can’t be changed. While it can carry a resigned tone, it isn’t always negative. In certain contexts, it simply acknowledges reality, much like the English expressions “it is what it is” or “that’s how things go.”

Though c’est la vie is well known in English, French speakers don’t use it as often as you might think. Instead, they have other expressions with similar meanings. Phrases like c’est comme ça (“that’s the way it is”), que veux-tu? (“what can you do?”), and on n’y peut rien (“there’s nothing we can do”) are commonly used in situations where one has to accept things as they are.

Interestingly, c’est la vie can also be used in a positive sense. In French, someone might say c’est la vie or c’est ma vie to express passion for something they love, such as food, art, or a lifestyle. It can also describe the nature of a profession — c’est la vie d’un artiste (“that’s the life of an artist”) — highlighting what defines a particular way of living.