If you’d like to say “it is what it is” in Spanish, you can use es lo que es. Some speakers also use las cosas son como son. Although this phrase is technically plural and translates to “things are what they are,” it’s used in singular and plural situations in conversation. And if you’re in Spain, you will likely hear es lo que hay (it is what there is).
The nuances of Spanish can seem intimidating at first, but getting a handle on one option, like es lo que es, will allow you to communicate in most circumstances. More confidence comes from how Rosetta Stone works to introduce you to expressions like “it is what it is” in Spanish in natural situations.
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What does ‘it is what it is’ mean?
“It is what it is” expresses resignation or acceptance of a situation that is unlikely to change. It’s a common expression in English, but other languages may express the same feeling of acceptance in different ways. For instance, the expression c’est la vie (that’s life) in French has entered the English dictionary as a phrase that can mean roughly the same thing as “it is what it is.”
If you need to wrap up a conversation about a mild financial annoyance, an irritation at work, or a late delivery that complicates your life temporarily, there are several ways to express this common feeling using Spanish idioms and expressions. The fact that there are many Spanish phrases with similar ideas may suggest that there’s a cultural mindset among Spanish speakers of accepting life’s ups and downs without complaint and without giving up.
- Ahora que tengo casa, no tengo plata. = Now that I have a house, I have no money.
- Bueno, pues es lo que hay. = Well, it is what it is.
- Sí, claro. ¿Qué se le va a hacer? = Yes, of course. What can you do?
- Sí. Así es la vida. = Yes. That’s life.
That’s not to say you can’t also hope for the best, using expressions like ojalá (hopefully/God willing) while you’re also living in reality.
Translating the expression ‘it is what it is’ literally
Even when you can translate somewhat literally, like es lo que es, you need to choose the correct words to be understood, since each English word can often have more than one Spanish translation.
es vs. está (it is)
The ser vs. estar question is always an interesting one for English speakers learning Spanish, since both of these verbs mean “to be” in English. It’s not always easy to follow a particular “rule” to determine whether your translation of “it is” should be es (from ser) or está (from estar).
In the literal translation of “it is what it is,” you’re defining a situation, so you’d use the correct form of ser conjugation. It would be similar to other descriptions using es (it is).
- La situation es difícil. = The situation is difficult.
- Todavía es complicado. = It’s still complicated.
- Me gusta la idea, pero es cuestión de dinero. = I like the idea, but it’s a matter of money.
lo que vs. ¿qué? (what)
The Spanish question word ¿Qúé? (what) is an interrogative used for forming questions. In the case of “it is what it is,” the word “what” isn’t a question, but rather a relative pronoun. To translate this word in Spanish, use lo que (what/that which). It’s a very common and helpful bit of language to add to your Spanish repertoire.
- Lo que más me gusta es el color. = What I like most is the color.
- Todavía no sé lo que me vas a decir. = I still don’t know what you’re going to say to me.
- Podemos hacer lo que quieras. = We can do whatever you want.
Idiomatic expressions that mean ‘it is what it is’
It’s not always possible to translate expressions word by word to another language. Doing so can even confuse your listener. Imagine translating the romantic Spanish idiom eres mi media naranja (you’re my other half) as “you are my half orange.” Instead, find the set phrases and expressions that Spanish speakers use to convey your meaning.
If it helps, think of the whole idea of what you want to say, and learn any “chunks” of phrases the same way that you might learn single vocabulary words. Rosetta Stone gives you the opportunity to learn Spanish in this way, where context is everything, so the right way to express your idea will be easier to recall.
| Spanish Expression | English Expression |
| A lo hecho, pecho. | What’s done is done. (Literal “to the done, chest.”) |
| Así es la vida. | Life’s like this. |
| Así son las cosas. | Things are like that. |
| Es lo que hay. | It’s what there is. |
| Hay que seguir la corriente. | You have to go with the flow. |
| No hay más remedio./No tienes remedio. | There’s no other way. |
| No pasa nada. | It’s fine./It’s ok./Don’t worry about it. |
| No te rindas./No te des por vencido. | Don’t give up. |
| ¿Qué se le va a hacer? | What can you do? |
| Son así las cosas. | Things are like that. |
| Son cosas que pasan. | They are things that happen. |
| …y bueno, pues… | Oh well, so… |
Express your feelings with the right phrases
Life is full of little bumps in the road, so knowing an expression like “it is what it is” in Spanish can help get you through the annoying parts. Communication is always best when it mimics real-world expressions that native speakers actually use. Once you connect a feeling with an expression like es lo que hay, you’ll be able to convey your meaning with ease, adding alternative expressions as you gain experience in Spanish.
Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion methodology teaches you the language, not just the words. What makes it so effective is that we prepare you to use your new language in your everyday life. So it’s not just about the features, but what you’re able to do because of them. That way, you’ll be ready to handle any situation with ease and confidence.
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