vis-le
The English phrase "live it" is expressed in French as vis-le.
This expression is used to encourage someone to experience a particular lifestyle or situation fully.
Which one should you use?
Use vis-la if the lifestyle or situation is grammatically feminine. Use vivez-le when addressing someone formally or when addressing a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the lifestyle or situation being referred to is grammatically feminine in French, use vis-la instead of vis-le.
Did you know?
- While vis-le is a literal command, French speakers often use the phrase profite-en to convey the same sentiment of living a moment to the fullest. This shifts the meaning from 'living' the experience to 'profiting' or 'savoring' it.
- The verb vivre in vis-le can also mean 'to survive' or 'to endure' in certain contexts. Depending on the tone, telling someone to 'live it' could unintentionally sound like you are telling them to survive a hardship.
- While 'live it' in English is often used as a standalone exclamation, in French, saying just vis-le without a clear context of what 'le' refers to would leave a listener completely confused. The French language almost always requires that the object be anchored to a specific noun.
Example conversation
Nathan is talking to Chloé about moving to a new city.
- NathanTu as peur de partir seule ?Are you afraid of leaving alone?
- ChloéOui, mais c'est mon rêve.Yes, but it's my dream.
- NathanAlors fonce et vis-le !Then go for it and live it!
- ChloéTu as raison, je le fais.You're right, I'm doing it.
