l'histoire se répète
The French for history repeats itself is l'histoire se répète.
l'histoire se répète is the French form of the proverb, used to say that events of the past tend to happen again.
Meaning: Translations (proverb)
Which one should you use?
l'histoire est un éternel recommencement expresses the same idea in a more literary or philosophical way. Literally it means history is an eternal restarting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is used in its reflexive form, so se comes before répète, just as itself follows repeats in English.
Did you know?
- The word histoire is used in the common French idiom raconter des histoires, which means to tell lies rather than to tell a factual history.
- While l'histoire se répète is the common proverb, French speakers often use the expression histoire de… as a colloquial shorthand meaning 'it is a matter of' or 'it is just a question of'.
- The word répète comes from the verb répéter. In a musical context, a répétition is not just a repeat of a note, but the entire process of a rehearsal.
Examples in context
- En règle générale, l'histoire se répète.Generally speaking, history repeats itself.En règle générale, l'histoire se répète. means generally speaking, history repeats itself.Tatoeba #1087170 by sacredceltic, translation #27337 by CK
- L'histoire se répète.History repeats itself.L'histoire se répète. is the proverb on its own as a full sentence.Tatoeba #15775 by sacredceltic, translation #326126 by CK
- Dans l'étude de l'histoire, nous pouvons observer que l'histoire se répète inlassablement.In the study of history, we can observe that history repeats itself tirelessly.
- On dirait que l'histoire se répète sans cesse.It seems like history repeats itself endlessly.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing recent political events.
- LucasRegarde les informations, c'est exactement la même chose.Look at the news, it is exactly the same thing.
- EmmaC'est triste, on dirait que l'histoire se répète.It is sad, it seems like history repeats itself.
- LucasMalheureusement, les gens oublient souvent les leçons du passé.Unfortunately, people often forget the lessons of the past.
- EmmaTu as tout à fait raison, Lucas.You are absolutely right, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “history repeats itself” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
