C'est la vie

[0875] Que sera, sera

🎲 YOLO (You Only Live Once)
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Expresses fatalism – the belief that future events are predetermined and outside of one's control.
  • Suggests accepting the future, good or bad, without excessive worry or striving against fate.

Origin

  • The phrase Que sera, sera, though resembling Spanish or Italian, is grammatically flawed in both.
  • It was popularized globally by the hit song Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) sung by Doris Day in Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 film The Man Who Knew Too Much.
  • The song cemented the phrase in popular culture as an expression of accepting the unknown future.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • It is what it is. (More about accepting present reality)
  • C'est la vie. (More for past/present minor annoyances)
  • It's in the lap of the gods. / It's up to fate.
  • What's meant to be will be. / It was meant to be.
  • Go with the flow. (Focuses on adaptation rather than pure fatalism)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • It is what it is. (Very common acceptance)
  • Just gotta roll with the punches. / Roll with it. (Accepting and adapting to difficulties)
  • We'll see what shakes out. (Wait to see the result)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Fuck it. (Expresses letting go of control/worry)

Milder/Standard:

  • We'll just have to wait and see.
  • Let's not worry until we know more.
  • The outcome is out of our hands now.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Suitable for personal reflections or conversations about uncertain futures where one has limited control.
  • Can sound passive, resigned, or defeatist in contexts where proactivity and effort are expected (e.g., a business strategy meeting).

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Could be misinterpreted as laziness, lack of ambition, or apathy if used inappropriately.
  • It generally implies acceptance *after* reasonable effort, not an excuse for inaction.

Examples

  • I've applied for the job, sent my resume, and did the interview. Now? Que sera, sera.
  • Will we succeed? Who knows. Whatever will be, will be.

Dialogue

Frank: Are you worried about the company restructuring announcement?

Grace: A little, but I've done my best work and prepared for different outcomes. Beyond that... que sera, sera. Worrying won't change it now.

Frank: True. Whatever will be, will be. Let's just focus on today.

Social Media Examples

  • Post: Waiting for exam results like... 😬 Que sera, sera! #studentlife #anxiety #fingerscrossed
  • Tweet: Trying to adopt a 'whatever will be, will be' mindset about the job search. Control what I can control, let go of the rest. #mentalhealth #jobhunt
  • Comment: Don't stress too much about their decision! You did your part. Que sera, sera.

Response Patterns

  • I guess so.
  • That's one way to look at it.
  • Let's hope for the best, then.
  • A nod or sigh of acceptance.
  • Sometimes mild disagreement: But shouldn't we try to influence it?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Often signals an end to speculation or worry about a future outcome.
  • Someone might add a hopeful note: Let's just hope 'what will be' is something good!
  • May lead to changing the subject to more immediate concerns.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's usually a concluding remark or response regarding future uncertainty or lack of control.

Intonation

  • Often said with a calm, accepting, sometimes carefree, or slightly resigned tone.
  • Can convey a letting go of anxiety.
  • Stress on the repeated sera (Que seRA, seRA) or on will be (Whatever WILL BE, WILL BE).

Generation Differences

  • Que sera, sera might be more familiar or nostalgic for older generations due to the song's popularity.
  • Whatever will be, will be is more universally understood and used across ages.

Regional Variations

  • Both versions are widely understood in English-speaking countries.
  • Que sera, sera might feel slightly more dated or whimsical.
C'est la vie
🎲 YOLO (You Only Live Once)