Level A1 (Beginner)
Published October 27, 2025 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
📘 C’est la vie meaning and pronunciation
C’est la vie is a French expression meaning “that’s life” or “such is life”. It’s used when something disappointing happens and you simply accept it rather than complain. Just like in English, French speakers say it with a shrug to express mild resignation — a way of saying “that’s the way it is”.
The pronunciation of c’est la vie is /sɛ la vi/ — roughly “seh lah vee”.
English example sentences
Il a encore oublié mon anniversaire… c’est la vie.
He forgot my birthday again… that’s life.
J’ai raté le bus… c’est la vie.
I missed the bus… that’s life.
Ma voiture est en panne… c’est la vie.
My car broke down… that’s life.
On ne peut pas toujours gagner… c’est la vie.
You can’t always win… that’s life.
👉 See also: “Tant pis !” — Related expression meaning “oh well!” »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- tant pis — too bad / oh well
- c’est comme ça — that’s how it is
- on n’y peut rien — there’s nothing we can do about it
- ainsi va la vie — such is life
- c’est le destin — it’s fate
- c’est pas la fin du monde — it’s not the end of the world
🤔 Related Word of the Day lesson
👉 la vie (life) »
👉 Déjà-vu »
👉 C’est (it’s) »
👉 Loanwords (hub) »
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