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

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

From The Verge ● Jan. 2, 2020

Close smiled and offered a c’est la vie shrug.

From New York Times ● Feb. 24, 2019

Her survival of the ups and downs has given her the c'est la vie attitude about her latest body of work, one that harks back to her initial love of pop.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 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 Baring, Evelyn

C’est la vie seems to be her attitude.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025

Deanna Newman set up C'est la vie Jewellery in March last year as an "interesting adventure" sideline which she hoped to turn into her dream full-time job.

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 Merriman, Henry Seton