c'est comme ça
In French, "it is what it is" is expressed as c'est comme ça.
The phrase is used to express that a situation has its own nature. In French, the common expression c'est comme ça is typically used as a way to shrug off a situation, expressing either acceptance or dismissal of a fact.
Meaning: this thing has its own nature (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase c'est comme ça literally means "it is like that".
Which one should you use?
While the English phrase "it is what it is" can sometimes sound philosophical, the French c'est comme ça is more commonly used as a shrug-like expression of acceptance or dismissal.
Did you know?
- While c'est comme ça translates to 'it is like that', it is often accompanied by a physical gesture known as the 'Gallic shrug', where the speaker raises their shoulders and pouts their lips.
- Although c'est comme ça means 'it is like that', French speakers may use c'est la vie to express a similar sentiment, but only when referring to the general hardships of life rather than a specific situation.
- The word comme in this expression stems from the Late Latin word quōmodo, which originally meant 'in what manner'.
Examples in context
- Malgré tous nos efforts, les choses sont ce qu'elles sont.Despite all our efforts, things are the way they are.
- Il faut s'adapter puisqu'on ne peut rien y changer.We need to adapt since we can't change anything about it.
- Je ne peux pas venir ce soir. C'est comme ça.I can't come tonight. That's how it is.
- Nous avons perdu le match. C'est la vie.We lost the game. That's life.
- Mon ordinateur a planté et j'ai perdu tout mon travail. C'est comme ça, je devrai tout recommencer.My computer crashed, and I lost all my work. It's like that, I'll have to start over.
- Les résultats du projet ne sont pas à la hauteur de nos attentes. Les choses sont ce qu'elles sont, mais nous tirons des leçons de cette expérience.The project results didn't meet our expectations. Things are the way they are, but we are learning from this experience.
- Je n'ai pas été invité à la soirée. C'est la vie, je trouverai autre chose à faire ce soir.I haven't been invited to the party. That's life, I'll find something else to do tonight.
- Je ne peux rien changer, c'est comme ça.I can't change anything, it is what it is.
- On a perdu le match, c'est comme ça.We lost the match, it is what it is.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are discussing a delayed train.
- LucasLe train a encore du retard.The train is delayed again.
- ChloéC'est dommage, mais c'est comme ça.That's a shame, but it is what it is.
- LucasTu es vraiment calme, Chloé.You are really calm, Chloé.
- ChloéOn ne peut rien faire d'autre.There is nothing else we can do.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “it is what it is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, comme, ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
