Jump To:

• c'est la vie
  c'est la vie

  that's life; such is life.
• C'est la vie
  C'est la vie

  An expression used to play down some minor disappointment: “So we lost a softball game by twenty-two runs. What can you do; c'est la vie.” From French, meaning “that's life.”

c'est la vie

American  

[se la vee] / sɛ la ˈvi /

French.

1. that's life; such is life.

---

c'est la vie British  

/ sɛ la vi /

1. that's life

---

C'est la vie Cultural  

1. An expression used to play down some minor disappointment: “So we lost a softball game by twenty-two runs. What can you do; c'est la vie.” From French, meaning “that's life.”

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

c'est la vie C'est la vie

Guillermo del Toro’s almost realized “The Rise and Fall of Jabba the Hutt” was scrapped, but the filmmaker is saying c’est la vie.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2023

I understand, though, that it would have made the bike pricier, so c’est la vie.

From The Verge ● Jan. 2, 2020

There was little other action on the Senate floor as the hours passed, even as the Assembly chugged along with various minor bills and a vague sense of c’est la vie.

From New York Times ● Jun. 21, 2018

Beautiful hair came at a price, but I figured a scalp dotted with blisters was mine: c’est la vie.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 4, 2017

The French version of the same idea is in no way inferior to the Greek: On entre, on crie, Et c'est la vie!

From Political and Literary essays, 1908-1913 by Evelyn Baring

C’est la vie seems to be her attitude.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025

But earlier this year a company operating out of China pretending to be a Birmingham-based jewellers began using the C'est la vie name, damaging the reputation of Ms Newman's business.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2025

C’est la vie: Speaking of the Rams, the team lost its first game of the season by a score of 28-0 to the San Francisco 49ers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2016

Quote of the Day: "I dont care about it. C'est la vie," From world champion Peter Sagan, reflecting on losing the yellow jersey.

From US News ● Jul. 6, 2016

"C'est la vie," she said; a favourite reflection with her.

From Dross by Henry Seton Merriman