What does... c'est la vie mean?

Asked by fau 4 months ago, 9 answers.

C'est la vie mean?

Answered by funadvice on Jul 30, 2008, 11:38AM
| 42393 answers.

'That's life'. It's French.

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Answered by bowshierbabe01 on Jul 30, 2008, 11:31AM
| 120 answers.

there east the ways
its italian

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Answered by suzyboo on Jul 30, 2008, 11:38AM
| 335 answers.
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umm... no.

C'est la vie" does literally translate to "this is life," but it's often used like "well, that's life"

Answered by filletofspam on Jul 30, 2008, 12:12PM
| 2372 answers.
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Of course it is French for "that's life." Common expression in English for when life is harsh. Goes along with the Buddhist concept of life being pain. You can not deny pain without denying life itself. A slightly stronger way of expressing this idea is "C'est la guerre" or "that's war."

There are a lot of French terms in English that you should know.

"de rigueur" expected by custom, fashion, or convention.
"en masse" as a group
"esprit de corp" morale of group, esp. military or workplace
"fait accompli" a done deal
"coup de grace" merciful blow to end ones misery. Often used a metaphor.
"Cette je any sait quoi" Special quality you can't quite describe.
"poseur" someone who pretends to be something they are not
:"raison d'etre" reason for being
"joi de vivre" joy of life.
"any plus ultra" can not be surpassed.
"R.S.V.P' or "Respende s'il vous plait" Confirm whether or not you will attend.

Answered by filletofspam on Jul 30, 2008, 03:51PM
| 2372 answers.
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Just wanted to add that some of my French phrases are spelled incorrectly because the website auto-corrects some of the words.

Answered by funadvice on Jul 31, 2008, 12:26AM
| 42393 answers.

Crazy! Thanks, fillet. Did you know that the French themselved don't use RSVP on their invitations? I wonder when it started in English.

Answered by filletofspam on Jul 31, 2008, 07:27AM
| 2372 answers.
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I didn't know about RSVP.

I understand that "nom de plume" is fake French as well. English speakers say "pen name" for their writing pseudonym where the French say "nom de guerre" (translates to war name). "Nom de plume" is the French translation of the English term. I understand that due to persistent use by anglophones that the term is catching on in France.

Answered by funadvice on Aug 01, 2008, 05:25AM
| 42393 answers.

Yes, my son's been taught to use it in France - intriguing.

Answered by funadvice on Sep 26, 2008, 06:43PM
| 42393 answers.

this is life I speak french I go to a french school where we speke french all day

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