facile à vivre
The English phrase easy going is translated into French as facile à vivre.
The phrase facile à vivre is used to describe a person who is relaxed and doesn't get upset easily. You can also use the adjective tranquille as a synonym to describe a person who is easy-going or easy to deal with.
Which one should you use?
While the word facile on its own can mean "easy" or "simplistic," adding the phrase à vivre specifically shifts the meaning to describe a person's temperament as being easy-going.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase facile à vivre is invariable, which means it does not change its spelling to match masculine or feminine subjects.
Did you know?
- While facile à vivre is a compliment, using the word facile alone to describe a person can be a serious insult, implying they are promiscuous.
- The synonym tranquille can describe a relaxed person but is also used to tell someone to 'calm down' or 'stop bothering me'.
- The word facile entered Middle French in the 15th century as a borrowing from Latin, potentially influenced by the Italian word 'facile'.
Examples in context
- Marie est facile à vivre et amusante.Mary is easy-going and fun.This sentence shows how to use facile à vivre to describe a person's personality.Tatoeba #2719911 by Wakano, translation #1486020 by Spamster
- Jean est un homme très détendu. Il ne se laisse pas facilement stresser.Jean is a very easy going man. He doesn't get easily stressed.
- Luc est vraiment cool. Il se prend rarement la tête pour des broutilles.Luc is really easy going. He rarely gets worked up over trivial matters.
- Sophie est super relax, elle ne se prend jamais trop au sérieux.Sophie is super easy going, she never takes herself too seriously.
- Les enfants sont très tranquilles. Ils sont toujours de bonne humeur.The kids are very easy going. They are always in a good mood.
- Alex est super zen. Rien ne peut le déranger.Alex is really easy going. Nothing can bother him.
- Mon nouveau colocataire est très facile à vivre.My new roommate is very easy going.
- Il est facile à vivre, même en voyage.He is easy going, even when traveling.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are discussing a new person they met.
- EmmaTu as trouvé Lucas sympa ?Did you find Lucas nice?
- GabrielOui, il est vraiment facile à vivre.Yes, he is really easy going.
- EmmaC'est rassurant pour notre groupe.That is reassuring for our group.
- GabrielAbsolument, il ne se complique pas la vie.Absolutely, he doesn't make things complicated.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries facile, vivre, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
