что есть
[ʂto jesʲtʲ]word by word
The English phrase 'it is what it is' can be translated into Russian as что есть. Wiktionary also lists то есть (tó jestʹ).
Meaning: this thing has its own nature (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| что есть | [ʂto jesʲtʲ] (word by word, narrow) | |
| то есть | tó jestʹ | [ˈto‿(j)ɪsʲtʲ] (narrow) [tə‿ɪsʲ(tʲ)] (narrow) |
The phrase is used to express the idea that a thing has its own nature. While this philosophical idiom is expressed through the full construction что есть, то есть, you may also hear the informal expression Ничего не поделаешь, which literally means 'Nothing can be done.'
Which one should you use?
The full idiomatic phrase is что есть, то есть. This should not be confused with the shorter form то есть, which is a common conjunction used to mean 'that is' or 'in other words'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To function as a complete thought in this specific idiomatic construction, the phrase typically requires both parts: the что clause and the то clause, resulting in что есть, то есть.
Did you know?
- The phrase что есть, то есть contains a linguistic coincidence where the word есть can mean both 'is' and 'to eat'.
- The word что is an ancient descendant of the Proto-Indo-European words for 'what' and 'that', linking it to the roots of many English pronouns.
- The phrase что есть, то есть can be used as a 'conversation stopper' to end a debate when both parties realize the situation cannot be changed.
Examples in context
- Что есть, то есть.It is what it is.This sentence shows how to use the form что есть in the full idiomatic expression.Tatoeba #2760066 by marafon, translation #2528426 by CK
- Вечеринка уже началась.
Ничего не поделаешь.The party has already started.
It is what it is. - Удача нам не благоволит.
Да, ничего не поделаешь.Luck is not on our side.
Yes, it is what it is.
Example conversation
Maria and Dmitry are discussing a difficult situation at work.
- Мария MariaСитуация очень сложная, Дмитрий.Situatsiya ochen slozhnaya, Dmitriy.The situation is very difficult, Dmitry.
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, но это просто что есть.Da, no eto prosto chto yest.Yes, but it is what it is.
- Мария MariaМожет, мы что-то можем изменить?Mozhet, my chto-to mozhem izmenit?Maybe we can change something?
- Дмитрий DmitryК сожалению, нет.K sozhaleniyu, nyet.Unfortunately, no.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “it is what it is” translations and entries то есть, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (что, есть) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries есть, что, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
