vis ta vie
To say 'live your life' in French, you use vis ta vie.
The phrase is often used as an imperative to encourage someone to be independent or to stop worrying about others' opinions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of the verb vivre (to live), the possessive adjective ta (your) and the noun vie (life).
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people or to use the formal 'you', the phrase changes to vivez votre vie.
Did you know?
- While 'live your life' sounds purely positive in English, telling someone to vis ta vie can function as a blunt way to say 'mind your own business'.
- The verb vivre in the imperative form vis looks identical to the French word for 'screw' or 'drill', which is also vis.
- While the word vie means 'life', it shares an ancient linguistic root with the word voie, which means 'way' or 'path'.
Examples in context
- Vis ta vie !Live your life!This example shows the phrase used as an exclamation.Tatoeba #11716561 by Aiji, translation #6008236 by CannedBread
- Vis ta vie.Live your life.This example shows the phrase used as a standard sentence.Tatoeba #6837461 by GB3, translation #6392043 by OsoHombre
- Vis ta vie comme une expérience.Live your life as an experiment.This example shows how to use vis ta vie in a longer sentence.Tatoeba #10543898 by Adelpa, translation #10541819 by Adelpa
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are talking about life choices.
- HugoJe ne sais pas quoi choisir.I don't know what to choose.
- EmmaArrête de t'inquiéter et vis ta vie.Stop worrying and live your life.
- HugoC'est plus facile à dire qu'à faire.That's easier said than done.
- EmmaC'est vrai, mais vis ta vie pleinement.True, but live your life fully.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ta, vie, vis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
