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“It is what it is” in French
Phrases avec « Falloir faire avec »What is a good French language equivalent for the English expression, “like pulling teeth”?Comment traduire « what goes around, comes around » ?What is a good French equivalent for “least said, soonest mended”?What is this French saying?“The elephant in the room” in FrenchWhat is the “Mayday Mayday Mayday” procedure in French?What is an idiomatic French equivalent of the English expression “hold a gun to your head”?What are “formules à volonté”?What does 'Germaine' mean in French?How do you say “I see what you did there”?
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According to
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is
this idiomatic expression is used to talk about the
The situation, circumstance, or outcome (that) has already happened or been
decided or established, so it must be accepted even if it is
undesirable.
Some examples:
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is. All we can do is work
even harder for the next one.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's
new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
What are some colloquial ways to express similar ideas in French?
anglais expressions-idiomatiques
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
|
show 2 more comments
According to
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is
this idiomatic expression is used to talk about the
The situation, circumstance, or outcome (that) has already happened or been
decided or established, so it must be accepted even if it is
undesirable.
Some examples:
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is. All we can do is work
even harder for the next one.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's
new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
What are some colloquial ways to express similar ideas in French?
anglais expressions-idiomatiques
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
2
I'm new here. Why is "c'est ce que c'est" wrong?
– Aravind Suresh
Jul 23 at 12:46
1
@AravindSuresh I had also this query. Based on Deepl "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is" is translated by "Je n'aime pas trop le nouveau copain de ma fille, mais c'est ce que c'est." I think c'est ce que c'est is not considered idiomatic. But I am not a native speaker to elaborate more. By the way French of Quebec has c'est ça qui est ça.
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 13:11
1
@AravindSuresh I confirm c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 20:24
3
Both c'est ça qui est ça and c'est ce que c'est wouldn't be understood. They are just tautologies and don't express an opinion while c'est comme ça has an implicit continuation et c'est pas autrement.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 21:05
1
@AravindSuresh Because the French language doesnt use "it" as a replacement pronoun. What you wrote literally does not make sense. que or "that" could work, but it is clumsy. The accepted answer uses proper pronouns, and wouldn't work in English. It is literally "he must make with"
– Stian Yttervik
Jul 24 at 15:37
|
show 2 more comments
According to
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is
this idiomatic expression is used to talk about the
The situation, circumstance, or outcome (that) has already happened or been
decided or established, so it must be accepted even if it is
undesirable.
Some examples:
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is. All we can do is work
even harder for the next one.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's
new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
What are some colloquial ways to express similar ideas in French?
anglais expressions-idiomatiques
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
According to
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is
this idiomatic expression is used to talk about the
The situation, circumstance, or outcome (that) has already happened or been
decided or established, so it must be accepted even if it is
undesirable.
Some examples:
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is. All we can do is work
even harder for the next one.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's
new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
What are some colloquial ways to express similar ideas in French?
anglais expressions-idiomatiques
anglais expressions-idiomatiques
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
edited Jul 23 at 12:15
Stéphane Gimenez♦
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 23:04
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
2
I'm new here. Why is "c'est ce que c'est" wrong?
– Aravind Suresh
Jul 23 at 12:46
1
@AravindSuresh I had also this query. Based on Deepl "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is" is translated by "Je n'aime pas trop le nouveau copain de ma fille, mais c'est ce que c'est." I think c'est ce que c'est is not considered idiomatic. But I am not a native speaker to elaborate more. By the way French of Quebec has c'est ça qui est ça.
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 13:11
1
@AravindSuresh I confirm c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 20:24
3
Both c'est ça qui est ça and c'est ce que c'est wouldn't be understood. They are just tautologies and don't express an opinion while c'est comme ça has an implicit continuation et c'est pas autrement.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 21:05
1
@AravindSuresh Because the French language doesnt use "it" as a replacement pronoun. What you wrote literally does not make sense. que or "that" could work, but it is clumsy. The accepted answer uses proper pronouns, and wouldn't work in English. It is literally "he must make with"
– Stian Yttervik
Jul 24 at 15:37
|
show 2 more comments
2
I'm new here. Why is "c'est ce que c'est" wrong?
– Aravind Suresh
Jul 23 at 12:46
1
@AravindSuresh I had also this query. Based on Deepl "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is" is translated by "Je n'aime pas trop le nouveau copain de ma fille, mais c'est ce que c'est." I think c'est ce que c'est is not considered idiomatic. But I am not a native speaker to elaborate more. By the way French of Quebec has c'est ça qui est ça.
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 13:11
1
@AravindSuresh I confirm c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 20:24
3
Both c'est ça qui est ça and c'est ce que c'est wouldn't be understood. They are just tautologies and don't express an opinion while c'est comme ça has an implicit continuation et c'est pas autrement.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 21:05
1
@AravindSuresh Because the French language doesnt use "it" as a replacement pronoun. What you wrote literally does not make sense. que or "that" could work, but it is clumsy. The accepted answer uses proper pronouns, and wouldn't work in English. It is literally "he must make with"
– Stian Yttervik
Jul 24 at 15:37
2
2
I'm new here. Why is "c'est ce que c'est" wrong?
– Aravind Suresh
Jul 23 at 12:46
I'm new here. Why is "c'est ce que c'est" wrong?
– Aravind Suresh
Jul 23 at 12:46
1
1
@AravindSuresh I had also this query. Based on Deepl "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is" is translated by "Je n'aime pas trop le nouveau copain de ma fille, mais c'est ce que c'est." I think c'est ce que c'est is not considered idiomatic. But I am not a native speaker to elaborate more. By the way French of Quebec has c'est ça qui est ça.
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 13:11
@AravindSuresh I had also this query. Based on Deepl "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is" is translated by "Je n'aime pas trop le nouveau copain de ma fille, mais c'est ce que c'est." I think c'est ce que c'est is not considered idiomatic. But I am not a native speaker to elaborate more. By the way French of Quebec has c'est ça qui est ça.
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 13:11
1
1
@AravindSuresh I confirm c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 20:24
@AravindSuresh I confirm c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 20:24
3
3
Both c'est ça qui est ça and c'est ce que c'est wouldn't be understood. They are just tautologies and don't express an opinion while c'est comme ça has an implicit continuation et c'est pas autrement.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 21:05
Both c'est ça qui est ça and c'est ce que c'est wouldn't be understood. They are just tautologies and don't express an opinion while c'est comme ça has an implicit continuation et c'est pas autrement.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 21:05
1
1
@AravindSuresh Because the French language doesnt use "it" as a replacement pronoun. What you wrote literally does not make sense. que or "that" could work, but it is clumsy. The accepted answer uses proper pronouns, and wouldn't work in English. It is literally "he must make with"
– Stian Yttervik
Jul 24 at 15:37
@AravindSuresh Because the French language doesnt use "it" as a replacement pronoun. What you wrote literally does not make sense. que or "that" could work, but it is clumsy. The accepted answer uses proper pronouns, and wouldn't work in English. It is literally "he must make with"
– Stian Yttervik
Jul 24 at 15:37
|
show 2 more comments
10 Answers
10
active
oldest
votes
To refer to something that you have to accept even though you may not like it, you can say Il faut faire avec.
- On a perdu le match, mais il faut faire avec.
- Je suis pas très fan de son nouveau copain, mais il faut faire avec.
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
6
Excellent. I would drop the il in a colloquial conversation.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:03
@jlliagre Il y a aussi une question pertinente : french.stackexchange.com/questions/34871/falloir-faire-avec
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:42
add a comment |
The first expression that comes to mind is:
Mais c'est comme ça.
e.g.:
Regarde, on a perdu le match, mais c'est comme ça. La seule chose qu'on peut faire, c'est travailler encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est comme ça.
While mais c'est comme ça is relatively close to the English "but it is what it is", note that its word by word translation c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all in French.
This expression is sometimes used in its "verlan" form (banlieues French, rap lyrics...):
Mais c'est ça comme.
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
5
Alternative : « mais c'est ainsi ».
– Laure
Jul 22 at 8:19
3
@Laure Yes, although like c'est la vie, this alternative seems less colloquial than c'est comme ça. On the other hand, petitrien's faut faire avec is spot on.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:01
4
Upvoted this one because : 1. That's what I would say as a native speaker. 2. It's quite close to the english version, making it easier to remember for a non-native speaker.
– Berthim
Jul 22 at 9:01
2
@StéphaneGimenez The OP explicitely asks for a colloquial expression. C'est ainsi sounds a little formal to me, and c'est la vie a little outdated. I agree the latter is not formal.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:53
2
@jillagre I see "C'est comme ça" as closer, "il faut faire avec" is a consequence of this statement. Again just my opinion. Actually I use "c'est comme ça" regularly as a french frog. :D
– unludo
Jul 24 at 8:37
|
show 13 more comments
It all depends on the context, but in those two particular cases, believe it or not, a French speaker may actually use “C'est la vie”.
Écoute, on a perdu. C'est la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
Son nouveau petit ami ne me plaît pas beaucoup, mais que dire ? C'est la vie.
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
4
Courant ou pas, vraiment passe-partout le "c'est la vie":-)!
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:44
add a comment |
One idiomatic way to express it, albeit not formal at all, would be :
C'est l'jeu, ma pauv' Lucette.
This come from a TV advertisement for the Française Des Jeux (French lottery), in which an old couple winning lottery find destinations for holiday by spinning a globe, and land on Australia. The wife say it is too far, and her husband answer with this "That's the game, my poor Lucette".
This used to be popular, but the usage seems to decrease as the TV spot memories grows old.
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
2
really, tv ad as a reference?
– George M
Jul 22 at 22:37
3
This TV ad is were this specific expression come from. This is definitely not the most general way to express "it is what it is", but I wanted to include it for completeness.
– Kevin FONTAINE
Jul 23 at 7:19
4
@GeorgeM it's an expression I've heard a lot (from France / Switzerland). It goes with a condescending / mocking tone, said to somehow who is not happy about losing in a game / gamble.
– Pac0
Jul 23 at 13:47
3
@GeorgeM That's true. This ad, aired in the 90's, came into popular culture in France and it's not uncommon to hear it even today. However, it might be used mostly by people in their 30s to 50s, younger people not knowing the origin of the idiom. It's not the answer, but definitely a good alternative one.
– Berthim
Jul 23 at 14:32
1
Been recycled by my friends as "c'est l'tarif, ma pov' lucette". Same meaning as 'it is what it is', but exclusively for cruel/unfair situations.
– m.raynal
Jul 24 at 13:16
add a comment |
I also found this (exclusively for French Canadians)
...c'est ça qui est ça...
Source
https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/1zhrhf/cest_quoi_l%C3%A9quivalent_en_fran%C3%A7ais_de_it_is_what/
Further insight
https://oreilletendue.com/2014/04/30/cest-tout-bis/
https://www.wikebec.org/cest-ca-qui-est-ca/definition/
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
2
A variation on this expression was used to great effect in the popular song "Ça Que C'tait" by rap group Alaclair Ensemble (g.co/kgs/agprkJ): "Tu pensais qu’c’tait ça que c’tait, mais c’tait pas ça que c’tait", i.e. "You thought that's what it was, but that's not what it was".
– François Leblanc
Jul 24 at 13:23
add a comment |
You could try voilà or bon
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is.
Écoute, on a perdu le match et voilà.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
Je ne suis pas un grand fan du copain de ma fille mais bon.
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
add a comment |
Another option:
Écoute, on a perdu, mais ainsi va la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
I view this option as slightly sadder than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
add a comment |
An expression from a current singer that is used by young people could be c'est rien on s'adapte :
On a perdu le match, c'est rien on s'adapte. On travaillera encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est rien on s'adapte.
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
Isn’t that a bit more optimistic than “it is what it is”? Sounds more like “this isn’t a big deal, we’ll manage” more than “well, we can’t change it, so we may as well try to accept it”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jul 24 at 10:37
2
Never heard such an expression, although native French speaker...
– Jean Marie Becker
Jul 24 at 20:05
add a comment |
IMHO, "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is." is a poor example. "It is what it is" is used to describe a "general situation" that directly impacts the speaker but for which the speaker has not been able to change. The daughter's selection of boyfriend is not sufficiently general to be used with this phrase.
The most pertinent translation suggested is probably "c'est comme cà", although English has another closer translations of "c'est comme ça", (=that's how it is) and that is probably what would be used rather than "it is what it is" when talking of the boyfriend; Although "Il faut vivre avec" shares much of the sense, in English the closest direct translation of this would be "We have to live with it" but again it isn't really a good fit when talking about the personal choice of someone for a boyfriend.
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
So many great answers. Thanks. The example is taken from idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is.
– Dimitris
Jul 24 at 14:04
add a comment |
In a strategic context, one may see:
C'est le jeu
perhaps less weighty than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
add a comment |
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10 Answers
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10 Answers
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To refer to something that you have to accept even though you may not like it, you can say Il faut faire avec.
- On a perdu le match, mais il faut faire avec.
- Je suis pas très fan de son nouveau copain, mais il faut faire avec.
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
6
Excellent. I would drop the il in a colloquial conversation.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:03
@jlliagre Il y a aussi une question pertinente : french.stackexchange.com/questions/34871/falloir-faire-avec
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:42
add a comment |
To refer to something that you have to accept even though you may not like it, you can say Il faut faire avec.
- On a perdu le match, mais il faut faire avec.
- Je suis pas très fan de son nouveau copain, mais il faut faire avec.
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
6
Excellent. I would drop the il in a colloquial conversation.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:03
@jlliagre Il y a aussi une question pertinente : french.stackexchange.com/questions/34871/falloir-faire-avec
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:42
add a comment |
To refer to something that you have to accept even though you may not like it, you can say Il faut faire avec.
- On a perdu le match, mais il faut faire avec.
- Je suis pas très fan de son nouveau copain, mais il faut faire avec.
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
To refer to something that you have to accept even though you may not like it, you can say Il faut faire avec.
- On a perdu le match, mais il faut faire avec.
- Je suis pas très fan de son nouveau copain, mais il faut faire avec.
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 4:55
petitrienpetitrien
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
1,8373 silver badges15 bronze badges
6
Excellent. I would drop the il in a colloquial conversation.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:03
@jlliagre Il y a aussi une question pertinente : french.stackexchange.com/questions/34871/falloir-faire-avec
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:42
add a comment |
6
Excellent. I would drop the il in a colloquial conversation.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:03
@jlliagre Il y a aussi une question pertinente : french.stackexchange.com/questions/34871/falloir-faire-avec
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:42
6
6
Excellent. I would drop the il in a colloquial conversation.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:03
Excellent. I would drop the il in a colloquial conversation.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:03
@jlliagre Il y a aussi une question pertinente : french.stackexchange.com/questions/34871/falloir-faire-avec
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:42
@jlliagre Il y a aussi une question pertinente : french.stackexchange.com/questions/34871/falloir-faire-avec
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:42
add a comment |
The first expression that comes to mind is:
Mais c'est comme ça.
e.g.:
Regarde, on a perdu le match, mais c'est comme ça. La seule chose qu'on peut faire, c'est travailler encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est comme ça.
While mais c'est comme ça is relatively close to the English "but it is what it is", note that its word by word translation c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all in French.
This expression is sometimes used in its "verlan" form (banlieues French, rap lyrics...):
Mais c'est ça comme.
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
5
Alternative : « mais c'est ainsi ».
– Laure
Jul 22 at 8:19
3
@Laure Yes, although like c'est la vie, this alternative seems less colloquial than c'est comme ça. On the other hand, petitrien's faut faire avec is spot on.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:01
4
Upvoted this one because : 1. That's what I would say as a native speaker. 2. It's quite close to the english version, making it easier to remember for a non-native speaker.
– Berthim
Jul 22 at 9:01
2
@StéphaneGimenez The OP explicitely asks for a colloquial expression. C'est ainsi sounds a little formal to me, and c'est la vie a little outdated. I agree the latter is not formal.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:53
2
@jillagre I see "C'est comme ça" as closer, "il faut faire avec" is a consequence of this statement. Again just my opinion. Actually I use "c'est comme ça" regularly as a french frog. :D
– unludo
Jul 24 at 8:37
|
show 13 more comments
The first expression that comes to mind is:
Mais c'est comme ça.
e.g.:
Regarde, on a perdu le match, mais c'est comme ça. La seule chose qu'on peut faire, c'est travailler encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est comme ça.
While mais c'est comme ça is relatively close to the English "but it is what it is", note that its word by word translation c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all in French.
This expression is sometimes used in its "verlan" form (banlieues French, rap lyrics...):
Mais c'est ça comme.
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
5
Alternative : « mais c'est ainsi ».
– Laure
Jul 22 at 8:19
3
@Laure Yes, although like c'est la vie, this alternative seems less colloquial than c'est comme ça. On the other hand, petitrien's faut faire avec is spot on.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:01
4
Upvoted this one because : 1. That's what I would say as a native speaker. 2. It's quite close to the english version, making it easier to remember for a non-native speaker.
– Berthim
Jul 22 at 9:01
2
@StéphaneGimenez The OP explicitely asks for a colloquial expression. C'est ainsi sounds a little formal to me, and c'est la vie a little outdated. I agree the latter is not formal.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:53
2
@jillagre I see "C'est comme ça" as closer, "il faut faire avec" is a consequence of this statement. Again just my opinion. Actually I use "c'est comme ça" regularly as a french frog. :D
– unludo
Jul 24 at 8:37
|
show 13 more comments
The first expression that comes to mind is:
Mais c'est comme ça.
e.g.:
Regarde, on a perdu le match, mais c'est comme ça. La seule chose qu'on peut faire, c'est travailler encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est comme ça.
While mais c'est comme ça is relatively close to the English "but it is what it is", note that its word by word translation c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all in French.
This expression is sometimes used in its "verlan" form (banlieues French, rap lyrics...):
Mais c'est ça comme.
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
The first expression that comes to mind is:
Mais c'est comme ça.
e.g.:
Regarde, on a perdu le match, mais c'est comme ça. La seule chose qu'on peut faire, c'est travailler encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est comme ça.
While mais c'est comme ça is relatively close to the English "but it is what it is", note that its word by word translation c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all in French.
This expression is sometimes used in its "verlan" form (banlieues French, rap lyrics...):
Mais c'est ça comme.
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
edited Jul 24 at 14:39
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 23:15
jlliagrejlliagre
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
75.1k4 gold badges54 silver badges126 bronze badges
5
Alternative : « mais c'est ainsi ».
– Laure
Jul 22 at 8:19
3
@Laure Yes, although like c'est la vie, this alternative seems less colloquial than c'est comme ça. On the other hand, petitrien's faut faire avec is spot on.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:01
4
Upvoted this one because : 1. That's what I would say as a native speaker. 2. It's quite close to the english version, making it easier to remember for a non-native speaker.
– Berthim
Jul 22 at 9:01
2
@StéphaneGimenez The OP explicitely asks for a colloquial expression. C'est ainsi sounds a little formal to me, and c'est la vie a little outdated. I agree the latter is not formal.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:53
2
@jillagre I see "C'est comme ça" as closer, "il faut faire avec" is a consequence of this statement. Again just my opinion. Actually I use "c'est comme ça" regularly as a french frog. :D
– unludo
Jul 24 at 8:37
|
show 13 more comments
5
Alternative : « mais c'est ainsi ».
– Laure
Jul 22 at 8:19
3
@Laure Yes, although like c'est la vie, this alternative seems less colloquial than c'est comme ça. On the other hand, petitrien's faut faire avec is spot on.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:01
4
Upvoted this one because : 1. That's what I would say as a native speaker. 2. It's quite close to the english version, making it easier to remember for a non-native speaker.
– Berthim
Jul 22 at 9:01
2
@StéphaneGimenez The OP explicitely asks for a colloquial expression. C'est ainsi sounds a little formal to me, and c'est la vie a little outdated. I agree the latter is not formal.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:53
2
@jillagre I see "C'est comme ça" as closer, "il faut faire avec" is a consequence of this statement. Again just my opinion. Actually I use "c'est comme ça" regularly as a french frog. :D
– unludo
Jul 24 at 8:37
5
5
Alternative : « mais c'est ainsi ».
– Laure
Jul 22 at 8:19
Alternative : « mais c'est ainsi ».
– Laure
Jul 22 at 8:19
3
3
@Laure Yes, although like c'est la vie, this alternative seems less colloquial than c'est comme ça. On the other hand, petitrien's faut faire avec is spot on.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:01
@Laure Yes, although like c'est la vie, this alternative seems less colloquial than c'est comme ça. On the other hand, petitrien's faut faire avec is spot on.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:01
4
4
Upvoted this one because : 1. That's what I would say as a native speaker. 2. It's quite close to the english version, making it easier to remember for a non-native speaker.
– Berthim
Jul 22 at 9:01
Upvoted this one because : 1. That's what I would say as a native speaker. 2. It's quite close to the english version, making it easier to remember for a non-native speaker.
– Berthim
Jul 22 at 9:01
2
2
@StéphaneGimenez The OP explicitely asks for a colloquial expression. C'est ainsi sounds a little formal to me, and c'est la vie a little outdated. I agree the latter is not formal.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:53
@StéphaneGimenez The OP explicitely asks for a colloquial expression. C'est ainsi sounds a little formal to me, and c'est la vie a little outdated. I agree the latter is not formal.
– jlliagre
Jul 22 at 9:53
2
2
@jillagre I see "C'est comme ça" as closer, "il faut faire avec" is a consequence of this statement. Again just my opinion. Actually I use "c'est comme ça" regularly as a french frog. :D
– unludo
Jul 24 at 8:37
@jillagre I see "C'est comme ça" as closer, "il faut faire avec" is a consequence of this statement. Again just my opinion. Actually I use "c'est comme ça" regularly as a french frog. :D
– unludo
Jul 24 at 8:37
|
show 13 more comments
It all depends on the context, but in those two particular cases, believe it or not, a French speaker may actually use “C'est la vie”.
Écoute, on a perdu. C'est la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
Son nouveau petit ami ne me plaît pas beaucoup, mais que dire ? C'est la vie.
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
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4
Courant ou pas, vraiment passe-partout le "c'est la vie":-)!
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:44
add a comment |
It all depends on the context, but in those two particular cases, believe it or not, a French speaker may actually use “C'est la vie”.
Écoute, on a perdu. C'est la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
Son nouveau petit ami ne me plaît pas beaucoup, mais que dire ? C'est la vie.
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
4
Courant ou pas, vraiment passe-partout le "c'est la vie":-)!
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:44
add a comment |
It all depends on the context, but in those two particular cases, believe it or not, a French speaker may actually use “C'est la vie”.
Écoute, on a perdu. C'est la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
Son nouveau petit ami ne me plaît pas beaucoup, mais que dire ? C'est la vie.
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
It all depends on the context, but in those two particular cases, believe it or not, a French speaker may actually use “C'est la vie”.
Écoute, on a perdu. C'est la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
Son nouveau petit ami ne me plaît pas beaucoup, mais que dire ? C'est la vie.
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
edited Jul 22 at 9:15
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 23:16
Stéphane Gimenez♦Stéphane Gimenez
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
26.5k12 gold badges58 silver badges133 bronze badges
4
Courant ou pas, vraiment passe-partout le "c'est la vie":-)!
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:44
add a comment |
4
Courant ou pas, vraiment passe-partout le "c'est la vie":-)!
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:44
4
4
Courant ou pas, vraiment passe-partout le "c'est la vie":-)!
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:44
Courant ou pas, vraiment passe-partout le "c'est la vie":-)!
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 10:44
add a comment |
One idiomatic way to express it, albeit not formal at all, would be :
C'est l'jeu, ma pauv' Lucette.
This come from a TV advertisement for the Française Des Jeux (French lottery), in which an old couple winning lottery find destinations for holiday by spinning a globe, and land on Australia. The wife say it is too far, and her husband answer with this "That's the game, my poor Lucette".
This used to be popular, but the usage seems to decrease as the TV spot memories grows old.
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
2
really, tv ad as a reference?
– George M
Jul 22 at 22:37
3
This TV ad is were this specific expression come from. This is definitely not the most general way to express "it is what it is", but I wanted to include it for completeness.
– Kevin FONTAINE
Jul 23 at 7:19
4
@GeorgeM it's an expression I've heard a lot (from France / Switzerland). It goes with a condescending / mocking tone, said to somehow who is not happy about losing in a game / gamble.
– Pac0
Jul 23 at 13:47
3
@GeorgeM That's true. This ad, aired in the 90's, came into popular culture in France and it's not uncommon to hear it even today. However, it might be used mostly by people in their 30s to 50s, younger people not knowing the origin of the idiom. It's not the answer, but definitely a good alternative one.
– Berthim
Jul 23 at 14:32
1
Been recycled by my friends as "c'est l'tarif, ma pov' lucette". Same meaning as 'it is what it is', but exclusively for cruel/unfair situations.
– m.raynal
Jul 24 at 13:16
add a comment |
One idiomatic way to express it, albeit not formal at all, would be :
C'est l'jeu, ma pauv' Lucette.
This come from a TV advertisement for the Française Des Jeux (French lottery), in which an old couple winning lottery find destinations for holiday by spinning a globe, and land on Australia. The wife say it is too far, and her husband answer with this "That's the game, my poor Lucette".
This used to be popular, but the usage seems to decrease as the TV spot memories grows old.
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
2
really, tv ad as a reference?
– George M
Jul 22 at 22:37
3
This TV ad is were this specific expression come from. This is definitely not the most general way to express "it is what it is", but I wanted to include it for completeness.
– Kevin FONTAINE
Jul 23 at 7:19
4
@GeorgeM it's an expression I've heard a lot (from France / Switzerland). It goes with a condescending / mocking tone, said to somehow who is not happy about losing in a game / gamble.
– Pac0
Jul 23 at 13:47
3
@GeorgeM That's true. This ad, aired in the 90's, came into popular culture in France and it's not uncommon to hear it even today. However, it might be used mostly by people in their 30s to 50s, younger people not knowing the origin of the idiom. It's not the answer, but definitely a good alternative one.
– Berthim
Jul 23 at 14:32
1
Been recycled by my friends as "c'est l'tarif, ma pov' lucette". Same meaning as 'it is what it is', but exclusively for cruel/unfair situations.
– m.raynal
Jul 24 at 13:16
add a comment |
One idiomatic way to express it, albeit not formal at all, would be :
C'est l'jeu, ma pauv' Lucette.
This come from a TV advertisement for the Française Des Jeux (French lottery), in which an old couple winning lottery find destinations for holiday by spinning a globe, and land on Australia. The wife say it is too far, and her husband answer with this "That's the game, my poor Lucette".
This used to be popular, but the usage seems to decrease as the TV spot memories grows old.
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
One idiomatic way to express it, albeit not formal at all, would be :
C'est l'jeu, ma pauv' Lucette.
This come from a TV advertisement for the Française Des Jeux (French lottery), in which an old couple winning lottery find destinations for holiday by spinning a globe, and land on Australia. The wife say it is too far, and her husband answer with this "That's the game, my poor Lucette".
This used to be popular, but the usage seems to decrease as the TV spot memories grows old.
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 17:07
Kevin FONTAINEKevin FONTAINE
2395 bronze badges
2395 bronze badges
2
really, tv ad as a reference?
– George M
Jul 22 at 22:37
3
This TV ad is were this specific expression come from. This is definitely not the most general way to express "it is what it is", but I wanted to include it for completeness.
– Kevin FONTAINE
Jul 23 at 7:19
4
@GeorgeM it's an expression I've heard a lot (from France / Switzerland). It goes with a condescending / mocking tone, said to somehow who is not happy about losing in a game / gamble.
– Pac0
Jul 23 at 13:47
3
@GeorgeM That's true. This ad, aired in the 90's, came into popular culture in France and it's not uncommon to hear it even today. However, it might be used mostly by people in their 30s to 50s, younger people not knowing the origin of the idiom. It's not the answer, but definitely a good alternative one.
– Berthim
Jul 23 at 14:32
1
Been recycled by my friends as "c'est l'tarif, ma pov' lucette". Same meaning as 'it is what it is', but exclusively for cruel/unfair situations.
– m.raynal
Jul 24 at 13:16
add a comment |
2
really, tv ad as a reference?
– George M
Jul 22 at 22:37
3
This TV ad is were this specific expression come from. This is definitely not the most general way to express "it is what it is", but I wanted to include it for completeness.
– Kevin FONTAINE
Jul 23 at 7:19
4
@GeorgeM it's an expression I've heard a lot (from France / Switzerland). It goes with a condescending / mocking tone, said to somehow who is not happy about losing in a game / gamble.
– Pac0
Jul 23 at 13:47
3
@GeorgeM That's true. This ad, aired in the 90's, came into popular culture in France and it's not uncommon to hear it even today. However, it might be used mostly by people in their 30s to 50s, younger people not knowing the origin of the idiom. It's not the answer, but definitely a good alternative one.
– Berthim
Jul 23 at 14:32
1
Been recycled by my friends as "c'est l'tarif, ma pov' lucette". Same meaning as 'it is what it is', but exclusively for cruel/unfair situations.
– m.raynal
Jul 24 at 13:16
2
2
really, tv ad as a reference?
– George M
Jul 22 at 22:37
really, tv ad as a reference?
– George M
Jul 22 at 22:37
3
3
This TV ad is were this specific expression come from. This is definitely not the most general way to express "it is what it is", but I wanted to include it for completeness.
– Kevin FONTAINE
Jul 23 at 7:19
This TV ad is were this specific expression come from. This is definitely not the most general way to express "it is what it is", but I wanted to include it for completeness.
– Kevin FONTAINE
Jul 23 at 7:19
4
4
@GeorgeM it's an expression I've heard a lot (from France / Switzerland). It goes with a condescending / mocking tone, said to somehow who is not happy about losing in a game / gamble.
– Pac0
Jul 23 at 13:47
@GeorgeM it's an expression I've heard a lot (from France / Switzerland). It goes with a condescending / mocking tone, said to somehow who is not happy about losing in a game / gamble.
– Pac0
Jul 23 at 13:47
3
3
@GeorgeM That's true. This ad, aired in the 90's, came into popular culture in France and it's not uncommon to hear it even today. However, it might be used mostly by people in their 30s to 50s, younger people not knowing the origin of the idiom. It's not the answer, but definitely a good alternative one.
– Berthim
Jul 23 at 14:32
@GeorgeM That's true. This ad, aired in the 90's, came into popular culture in France and it's not uncommon to hear it even today. However, it might be used mostly by people in their 30s to 50s, younger people not knowing the origin of the idiom. It's not the answer, but definitely a good alternative one.
– Berthim
Jul 23 at 14:32
1
1
Been recycled by my friends as "c'est l'tarif, ma pov' lucette". Same meaning as 'it is what it is', but exclusively for cruel/unfair situations.
– m.raynal
Jul 24 at 13:16
Been recycled by my friends as "c'est l'tarif, ma pov' lucette". Same meaning as 'it is what it is', but exclusively for cruel/unfair situations.
– m.raynal
Jul 24 at 13:16
add a comment |
I also found this (exclusively for French Canadians)
...c'est ça qui est ça...
Source
https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/1zhrhf/cest_quoi_l%C3%A9quivalent_en_fran%C3%A7ais_de_it_is_what/
Further insight
https://oreilletendue.com/2014/04/30/cest-tout-bis/
https://www.wikebec.org/cest-ca-qui-est-ca/definition/
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
2
A variation on this expression was used to great effect in the popular song "Ça Que C'tait" by rap group Alaclair Ensemble (g.co/kgs/agprkJ): "Tu pensais qu’c’tait ça que c’tait, mais c’tait pas ça que c’tait", i.e. "You thought that's what it was, but that's not what it was".
– François Leblanc
Jul 24 at 13:23
add a comment |
I also found this (exclusively for French Canadians)
...c'est ça qui est ça...
Source
https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/1zhrhf/cest_quoi_l%C3%A9quivalent_en_fran%C3%A7ais_de_it_is_what/
Further insight
https://oreilletendue.com/2014/04/30/cest-tout-bis/
https://www.wikebec.org/cest-ca-qui-est-ca/definition/
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
2
A variation on this expression was used to great effect in the popular song "Ça Que C'tait" by rap group Alaclair Ensemble (g.co/kgs/agprkJ): "Tu pensais qu’c’tait ça que c’tait, mais c’tait pas ça que c’tait", i.e. "You thought that's what it was, but that's not what it was".
– François Leblanc
Jul 24 at 13:23
add a comment |
I also found this (exclusively for French Canadians)
...c'est ça qui est ça...
Source
https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/1zhrhf/cest_quoi_l%C3%A9quivalent_en_fran%C3%A7ais_de_it_is_what/
Further insight
https://oreilletendue.com/2014/04/30/cest-tout-bis/
https://www.wikebec.org/cest-ca-qui-est-ca/definition/
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
I also found this (exclusively for French Canadians)
...c'est ça qui est ça...
Source
https://www.reddit.com/r/French/comments/1zhrhf/cest_quoi_l%C3%A9quivalent_en_fran%C3%A7ais_de_it_is_what/
Further insight
https://oreilletendue.com/2014/04/30/cest-tout-bis/
https://www.wikebec.org/cest-ca-qui-est-ca/definition/
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
edited Jul 24 at 0:58
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 11:50
DimitrisDimitris
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
9,6193 gold badges10 silver badges33 bronze badges
2
A variation on this expression was used to great effect in the popular song "Ça Que C'tait" by rap group Alaclair Ensemble (g.co/kgs/agprkJ): "Tu pensais qu’c’tait ça que c’tait, mais c’tait pas ça que c’tait", i.e. "You thought that's what it was, but that's not what it was".
– François Leblanc
Jul 24 at 13:23
add a comment |
2
A variation on this expression was used to great effect in the popular song "Ça Que C'tait" by rap group Alaclair Ensemble (g.co/kgs/agprkJ): "Tu pensais qu’c’tait ça que c’tait, mais c’tait pas ça que c’tait", i.e. "You thought that's what it was, but that's not what it was".
– François Leblanc
Jul 24 at 13:23
2
2
A variation on this expression was used to great effect in the popular song "Ça Que C'tait" by rap group Alaclair Ensemble (g.co/kgs/agprkJ): "Tu pensais qu’c’tait ça que c’tait, mais c’tait pas ça que c’tait", i.e. "You thought that's what it was, but that's not what it was".
– François Leblanc
Jul 24 at 13:23
A variation on this expression was used to great effect in the popular song "Ça Que C'tait" by rap group Alaclair Ensemble (g.co/kgs/agprkJ): "Tu pensais qu’c’tait ça que c’tait, mais c’tait pas ça que c’tait", i.e. "You thought that's what it was, but that's not what it was".
– François Leblanc
Jul 24 at 13:23
add a comment |
You could try voilà or bon
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is.
Écoute, on a perdu le match et voilà.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
Je ne suis pas un grand fan du copain de ma fille mais bon.
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
add a comment |
You could try voilà or bon
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is.
Écoute, on a perdu le match et voilà.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
Je ne suis pas un grand fan du copain de ma fille mais bon.
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
add a comment |
You could try voilà or bon
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is.
Écoute, on a perdu le match et voilà.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
Je ne suis pas un grand fan du copain de ma fille mais bon.
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
You could try voilà or bon
Look, we lost the game, but it is what it is.
Écoute, on a perdu le match et voilà.
I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is.
Je ne suis pas un grand fan du copain de ma fille mais bon.
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
edited Jul 24 at 9:00
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
answered Jul 22 at 13:23
WoJWoJ
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
4133 silver badges8 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
Another option:
Écoute, on a perdu, mais ainsi va la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
I view this option as slightly sadder than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
add a comment |
Another option:
Écoute, on a perdu, mais ainsi va la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
I view this option as slightly sadder than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
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add a comment |
Another option:
Écoute, on a perdu, mais ainsi va la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
I view this option as slightly sadder than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
Another option:
Écoute, on a perdu, mais ainsi va la vie. On fera mieux la prochaine fois.
I view this option as slightly sadder than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
answered Jul 24 at 4:32
Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
1,5012 gold badges13 silver badges29 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
An expression from a current singer that is used by young people could be c'est rien on s'adapte :
On a perdu le match, c'est rien on s'adapte. On travaillera encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est rien on s'adapte.
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
Isn’t that a bit more optimistic than “it is what it is”? Sounds more like “this isn’t a big deal, we’ll manage” more than “well, we can’t change it, so we may as well try to accept it”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jul 24 at 10:37
2
Never heard such an expression, although native French speaker...
– Jean Marie Becker
Jul 24 at 20:05
add a comment |
An expression from a current singer that is used by young people could be c'est rien on s'adapte :
On a perdu le match, c'est rien on s'adapte. On travaillera encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est rien on s'adapte.
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
Isn’t that a bit more optimistic than “it is what it is”? Sounds more like “this isn’t a big deal, we’ll manage” more than “well, we can’t change it, so we may as well try to accept it”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jul 24 at 10:37
2
Never heard such an expression, although native French speaker...
– Jean Marie Becker
Jul 24 at 20:05
add a comment |
An expression from a current singer that is used by young people could be c'est rien on s'adapte :
On a perdu le match, c'est rien on s'adapte. On travaillera encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est rien on s'adapte.
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
An expression from a current singer that is used by young people could be c'est rien on s'adapte :
On a perdu le match, c'est rien on s'adapte. On travaillera encore plus dur pour le prochain.
Je ne suis pas très fan du nouveau petit ami de ma fille, mais c'est rien on s'adapte.
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
answered Jul 24 at 9:52
JulJul
211 bronze badge
211 bronze badge
Isn’t that a bit more optimistic than “it is what it is”? Sounds more like “this isn’t a big deal, we’ll manage” more than “well, we can’t change it, so we may as well try to accept it”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jul 24 at 10:37
2
Never heard such an expression, although native French speaker...
– Jean Marie Becker
Jul 24 at 20:05
add a comment |
Isn’t that a bit more optimistic than “it is what it is”? Sounds more like “this isn’t a big deal, we’ll manage” more than “well, we can’t change it, so we may as well try to accept it”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jul 24 at 10:37
2
Never heard such an expression, although native French speaker...
– Jean Marie Becker
Jul 24 at 20:05
Isn’t that a bit more optimistic than “it is what it is”? Sounds more like “this isn’t a big deal, we’ll manage” more than “well, we can’t change it, so we may as well try to accept it”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jul 24 at 10:37
Isn’t that a bit more optimistic than “it is what it is”? Sounds more like “this isn’t a big deal, we’ll manage” more than “well, we can’t change it, so we may as well try to accept it”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
Jul 24 at 10:37
2
2
Never heard such an expression, although native French speaker...
– Jean Marie Becker
Jul 24 at 20:05
Never heard such an expression, although native French speaker...
– Jean Marie Becker
Jul 24 at 20:05
add a comment |
IMHO, "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is." is a poor example. "It is what it is" is used to describe a "general situation" that directly impacts the speaker but for which the speaker has not been able to change. The daughter's selection of boyfriend is not sufficiently general to be used with this phrase.
The most pertinent translation suggested is probably "c'est comme cà", although English has another closer translations of "c'est comme ça", (=that's how it is) and that is probably what would be used rather than "it is what it is" when talking of the boyfriend; Although "Il faut vivre avec" shares much of the sense, in English the closest direct translation of this would be "We have to live with it" but again it isn't really a good fit when talking about the personal choice of someone for a boyfriend.
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
So many great answers. Thanks. The example is taken from idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is.
– Dimitris
Jul 24 at 14:04
add a comment |
IMHO, "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is." is a poor example. "It is what it is" is used to describe a "general situation" that directly impacts the speaker but for which the speaker has not been able to change. The daughter's selection of boyfriend is not sufficiently general to be used with this phrase.
The most pertinent translation suggested is probably "c'est comme cà", although English has another closer translations of "c'est comme ça", (=that's how it is) and that is probably what would be used rather than "it is what it is" when talking of the boyfriend; Although "Il faut vivre avec" shares much of the sense, in English the closest direct translation of this would be "We have to live with it" but again it isn't really a good fit when talking about the personal choice of someone for a boyfriend.
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
So many great answers. Thanks. The example is taken from idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is.
– Dimitris
Jul 24 at 14:04
add a comment |
IMHO, "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is." is a poor example. "It is what it is" is used to describe a "general situation" that directly impacts the speaker but for which the speaker has not been able to change. The daughter's selection of boyfriend is not sufficiently general to be used with this phrase.
The most pertinent translation suggested is probably "c'est comme cà", although English has another closer translations of "c'est comme ça", (=that's how it is) and that is probably what would be used rather than "it is what it is" when talking of the boyfriend; Although "Il faut vivre avec" shares much of the sense, in English the closest direct translation of this would be "We have to live with it" but again it isn't really a good fit when talking about the personal choice of someone for a boyfriend.
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
IMHO, "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is." is a poor example. "It is what it is" is used to describe a "general situation" that directly impacts the speaker but for which the speaker has not been able to change. The daughter's selection of boyfriend is not sufficiently general to be used with this phrase.
The most pertinent translation suggested is probably "c'est comme cà", although English has another closer translations of "c'est comme ça", (=that's how it is) and that is probably what would be used rather than "it is what it is" when talking of the boyfriend; Although "Il faut vivre avec" shares much of the sense, in English the closest direct translation of this would be "We have to live with it" but again it isn't really a good fit when talking about the personal choice of someone for a boyfriend.
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
answered Jul 24 at 12:28
AquilegusAquilegus
211 bronze badge
211 bronze badge
So many great answers. Thanks. The example is taken from idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is.
– Dimitris
Jul 24 at 14:04
add a comment |
So many great answers. Thanks. The example is taken from idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is.
– Dimitris
Jul 24 at 14:04
So many great answers. Thanks. The example is taken from idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is.
– Dimitris
Jul 24 at 14:04
So many great answers. Thanks. The example is taken from idioms.thefreedictionary.com/it+is+what+it+is.
– Dimitris
Jul 24 at 14:04
add a comment |
In a strategic context, one may see:
C'est le jeu
perhaps less weighty than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
add a comment |
In a strategic context, one may see:
C'est le jeu
perhaps less weighty than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
add a comment |
In a strategic context, one may see:
C'est le jeu
perhaps less weighty than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
In a strategic context, one may see:
C'est le jeu
perhaps less weighty than "c'est la vie".
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
answered Jul 24 at 12:59
jialibunjialibun
212 bronze badges
212 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
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I'm new here. Why is "c'est ce que c'est" wrong?
– Aravind Suresh
Jul 23 at 12:46
1
@AravindSuresh I had also this query. Based on Deepl "I'm not terribly fond of my daughter's new boyfriend, but it is what it is" is translated by "Je n'aime pas trop le nouveau copain de ma fille, mais c'est ce que c'est." I think c'est ce que c'est is not considered idiomatic. But I am not a native speaker to elaborate more. By the way French of Quebec has c'est ça qui est ça.
– Dimitris
Jul 23 at 13:11
1
@AravindSuresh I confirm c'est ce que c'est wouldn't work at all.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 20:24
3
Both c'est ça qui est ça and c'est ce que c'est wouldn't be understood. They are just tautologies and don't express an opinion while c'est comme ça has an implicit continuation et c'est pas autrement.
– jlliagre
Jul 23 at 21:05
1
@AravindSuresh Because the French language doesnt use "it" as a replacement pronoun. What you wrote literally does not make sense. que or "that" could work, but it is clumsy. The accepted answer uses proper pronouns, and wouldn't work in English. It is literally "he must make with"
– Stian Yttervik
Jul 24 at 15:37