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Phrase: C’est la vie!
The French phrase C’est la vie! is popular around the world, including in English-speaking countries such as Canada and England.
Yes, Canada is a bilingual nation, I know, I’m Canadian.
So, anyway, the French phrase, “C’est la vie!” translates to “That’s life!” in English.
It is used when something happens beyond our control, and we want to show we accept it, even if it’s not perfect.
People often say “C’est la vie!” when something goes wrong or doesn’t go as planned, and there is nothing they can do about it.
For example, if you forget your umbrella and it starts to rain, you might shrug and say, “C’est la vie!”
It is a way to remind ourselves and others that life isn’t always perfect, but that’s just the way it goes.
When Murphy’s Law comes into effect, you might as well greet it by speaking a little French.
In Canada, where French and English cultures meet, “C’est la vie!” is commonly used in both languages.
Many English speakers in Canada use “C’est la vie!” in conversation to sound relaxed or philosophical about a problem.
For example, if someone loses their hockey game, they might say, “We tried our best, but C’est la vie!”
Of course, Montreal Canadiens fans will use much more colourful language than I can print here.
You, even if you are not lucky enough to be Canadian, can use “C’est la vie!” in many situations.
If your favourite coffee shop is closed, or if you miss your bus, just say, “C’est la vie!”
So, next time life surprises you, remember this useful phrase: “C’est la vie!”
It’s a simple way to accept what we cannot change.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 73.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.
