C’est la vie is an expression loaned from French. It translates literally to that’s the life, or just that’s life, and it works as a standalone sentence. In English, it’s used to downplay a minor disappointment that is not worth lingering on or to acknowledge a slightly disappointing but not unexpected development. It’s similar in meaning to oh well and that’s the way it goes.
Examples
That seems to be the way life is—c’est la vie. [Korea Times]
My old elementary school at Forbes was turned into a bar. C’est la vie. [Minnesota Public Radio]
And, despite several attempts at a relationship, the madtarbak … just haven’t warmed to me. C’est la vie. [Australian]
If it was meant to be, then it will be, and in two years he’ll be back in my arms. Until then, c’est la vie! [Sydney Morning Herald]
