Quote:
Originally Posted by Tcoat
Both you guys should know that literal translations are not always accurate as to the meaning of a word or phrase in the original language!
Yes, c'est la vie translates to "that's life" and when used in English it is meant to reflect the idea of fate or more accurately 'shit happens'.
Outside of film you will not hear many French speakers say "c'est la vie' in that context though.
When they want to express fate or 'shit happens' they are far more likely to use the term c'est la guerre. Even though "guerre" does literally translate to "war" that is not the actual meaning of the phrase when used it that manner. It is more like "that is my fight" or "that is the battle I face". It is more or less the term "shit happens" or "that is life" with different cultural history behind it.
You can take the whole thing one step further in that when people say "shit happens" they don't usually mean they shit even though that is the literal meaning of the term.
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Their "shit happens" is more "Mon cul est plein" or was it "je ne plein en cul"?
Basically it means my ass is full, I can't take anymore shit.
Edit: at least with the younger people I've worked with at my old job from the Montreal office.