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How to Say ‘That's life, isn't it?’ in French

C'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?

se eh la vi n eh suh pa

[se eh la vi n eh suh pa]

Phrase Breakdown

C'

[se]

It's

It is a contraction meaning 'it is'.

Example

C'est une belle journée.

It's a beautiful day.

est

[eh]

is

Third person singular of 'to be'.

Example

Le livre est sur la table.

The book is on the table.

la

[la]

the

Definite article, feminine singular.

Example

La voiture est rouge.

The car is red.

vie

[vi]

life

The existence of an individual human being.

Example

La vie est belle.

Life is beautiful.

n'

[n]

not

A contraction meaning 'is not'.

Example

N'est-ce pas incroyable?

Isn't it amazing?

est

[eh]

is

Third person singular of 'to be'.

Example

Le livre est sur la table.

The book is on the table.

-ce

[suh]

it

Used to refer to a thing previously mentioned.

Example

C'est-ce que j'ai entendu.

That's what I heard.

pas

[pa]

not

Used to make a negative sentence.

Example

Il ne pleut pas.

It is not raining.

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