Picture a quiet moment in a Rome café, where a friend shrugs and says “è quello che è” after a plan falls through. That phrase, “it is what it is,” captures a universal truth: sometimes, we must accept life’s twists as they come.
Whether it’s a calm “shikata ga nai” in a Tokyo park or a heartfelt “es lo que es” in a Mexico City plaza, this expression reflects humanity’s shared resilience, flavored by each culture’s unique perspective.
Let’s explore how people worldwide voice this philosophy of acceptance and what it reveals about their way of life.
Reference Table: “It Is What It Is” in Different Languages
| Language | Word/Phrase | Cultural/Linguistic Insight |
|---|---|---|
| French | C’est la vie | Means “that’s life,” embracing life’s unpredictability. |
| Spanish | Es lo que es | Literally “it is what it is,” used for resigned acceptance. |
| Italian | È quello che è | A straightforward phrase, reflecting Italian pragmatism. |
| German | Es ist, wie es ist | Direct and literal, aligning with German clarity. |
| Mandarin | Jiù shì zhèyàng (就是这样) | Means “it’s just like that,” emphasizing simplicity. |
| Hindi | Jo hai so hai | Translates to “what is, is,” rooted in philosophical calm. |
| Japanese | Shikata ga nai (仕方がない) | Means “it can’t be helped,” reflecting stoic resilience. |
| Korean | Geugeon geugeo-ya (그건 그거야) | Means “that’s that,” a concise nod to acceptance. |
| Arabic | Huwa mā huwa (هو ما هو) | Literally “it is what it is,” used in over 20 countries. |
| Swahili | Ni kama ilivyo | Means “it’s as it is,” common in East African communities. |
| Zulu | Kuyinto eyiyo | Translates to “it’s the thing it is,” warm yet resigned. |
| Yoruba | Ó jẹ́ ohun tí ó jẹ́ | Means “it is what it is,” tied to Nigeria’s fatalism. |
| Maori | Koia tērā | Means “that’s how it is,” reflecting communal acceptance. |
| Hawaiian | ʻO ia nō | Means “that’s it,” tied to the aloha spirit of peace. |
| Cherokee | Ale udanvdi | Implies “it’s as it stands,” used in Native communities. |
European Languages: Acceptance with a Cultural Lens
European languages express “it is what it is” with a blend of pragmatism and philosophy. For instance, in French, “c’est la vie” (that’s life) is a cheerful shrug, used in Paris cafés to accept life’s ups and downs with grace. Meanwhile, Spanish speakers say “es lo que es,” a literal phrase that conveys resigned acceptance, often heard in Spain or Latin America during tough moments. Additionally, Italian uses “è quello che è,” a straightforward term that reflects Italy’s practical approach to life’s challenges. In German, “es ist, wie es ist” is direct, aligning with the culture’s no-nonsense attitude. Thus, these phrases show Europe’s range, from France’s lighthearted fatalism to Germany’s blunt realism, all embracing life as it comes.
Asian Languages: Serenity in Acceptance
Asia’s diverse languages offer unique takes on “it is what it is,” often tied to philosophical calm. For example, in Mandarin, “jiù shì zhèyàng” (it’s just like that) is a simple affirmation, reflecting China’s focus on balance. In Hindi, “jo hai so hai” (what is, is) carries a spiritual tone, rooted in India’s tradition of accepting fate. Similarly, Japanese uses “shikata ga nai” (it can’t be helped), a phrase that embodies stoic resilience, often said in Tokyo to brush off setbacks. In Korean, “geugeon geugeo-ya” (that’s that) is a concise nod to reality, aligning with South Korea’s practical outlook. Finally, Arabic’s “huwa mā huwa,” used across over 20 countries like Egypt and Syria, conveys calm acceptance, tied to the region’s poetic fatalism. These terms highlight Asia’s spectrum, from serene simplicity to deep philosophical roots.
African Languages: Resilience in Community
In African languages, “it is what it is” often reflects communal strength and optimism. For instance, Swahili, spoken in over 20 countries like Tanzania and Kenya, uses “ni kama ilivyo” (it’s as it is), a phrase shared in markets to accept life’s flow. In Zulu, “kuyinto eyiyo” (it’s the thing it is) carries тепла warmth, used in South Africa to face challenges with resolve. Similarly, Yoruba’s “ó jẹ́ ohun tí ó jẹ́” in Nigeria emphasizes fatalism, often said with a nod to community support. These terms, used in diverse African settings, blend acceptance with a collective spirit, often voiced in gatherings or daily life.
Indigenous & Island Languages: Harmony in Simplicity
Indigenous and island languages express “it is what it is” with simplicity and unity. For example, Maori in New Zealand uses “koia tērā” (that’s how it is), reflecting a communal approach to life’s realities. In Hawaiian, “ʻo ia nō” (that’s it) carries the peaceful aloha spirit, used in warm conversations. Similarly, Cherokee’s “ale udanvdi” (it’s as it stands) is a concise affirmation in Native American communities, tied to enduring traditions. In Samoan, phrases like “ʻo le mea lena” (that’s the thing) reflect the Pacific’s collective resilience, often shared in group settings. Across these cultures, from New Zealand to the Cherokee Nation, the phrase emphasizes harmony and acceptance, rooted in shared values.
Cultural Insights: The Evolution of Acceptance
Phrases for “it is what it is” have evolved with cultural attitudes toward fate. For instance, the French “c’est la vie” traces back to 19th-century literature, embracing life’s unpredictability. In Arabic, “huwa mā huwa” echoes medieval Islamic philosophy, emphasizing divine will. Moreover, in African languages like Swahili, “ni kama ilivyo” reflects trade-era resilience, accepting life’s ebb and flow. In Asia, terms like “shikata ga nai” align with Buddhist and Confucian ideas of letting go, shaped by centuries of thought. These phrases are more than words—they carry histories of philosophy, religion, and cultural exchange, uniting people in shared acceptance.
Proverbs and Sayings: Wisdom of Acceptance
- French: “La vie est un mystère à vivre, non un problème à résoudre.” (Life is a mystery to live, not a problem to solve.) – Embraces life’s unpredictability.
- Hindi: “Jo hota hai, acche ke liye hota hai.” (What happens, happens for the good.) – Reflects optimistic fatalism.
- Swahili: “Maisha ni kama maji, yanapita.” (Life is like water, it flows.) – Highlights acceptance of life’s flow.
- Japanese: “Shikata ga nai, kaze ga fuku.” (It can’t be helped, the wind blows.) – Ties acceptance to nature’s course.
- Yoruba: “Ohun tí ó bá ṣẹlẹ̀, ó dára.” (Whatever happens, it’s good.) – Links acceptance to positivity.
FAQs
Why do some phrases for “it is what it is” sound similar?
Shared linguistic roots (e.g., Indo-European languages like French and Spanish) and cultural exchanges (e.g., Arabic’s influence on Swahili) create similarities.
What’s the oldest term for “it is what it is”?
Phrases like Latin’s “est quod est” (1st century BCE) are among the earliest, influencing modern European terms.
How do cultures shape the phrase’s use?
Collectivist cultures (e.g., African, Indigenous) use it to foster group resilience, while individualistic cultures (e.g., European) focus on personal acceptance.
Conclusion
From “c’est la vie” in France to “ni kama ilivyo” in Tanzania, the phrase “it is what it is” weaves a global thread of resilience and acceptance. Each term, whether the serene “shikata ga nai” in Japanese or the warm “koia tērā” in Maori, reflects cultural values while celebrating our shared ability to move forward. Consequently, these words remind us that acceptance unites all people, embracing life’s twists with grace. How do you say “it is what it is” in your language, and what does it mean to you? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your story!
