La Vie en Rose lyrics and translation articulate timeless themes of love, romance, and resilience – it’s one of Edith Piaf’s most famous and beloved songs. It has been covered and interpreted by many famous artists, including Louis Armstrong (who sang an English interpretation of the lyrics) and Lady Gaga, who sang it in French in “A Star is Born.” La Vie en Rose is about finding new love after a trying time, and many people saw it as an anthem of hope as it was released shortly after the end of World War 2. French lyrics and English translation below.
Vocabulary and an explanation of the translation and phrases will follow the video and lyrics translation. Enjoy!
Below the translation you will find an analysis of the song and translation, a breakdown of the vocabulary, and a video of Edith Piaf performing “La Vie en Rose” live.
La Vie en Rose Lyrics and Translation
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Des yeux qui font baisser les miens | A gaze that make me lower my own |
| Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche | A laugh that is lost on his lips - |
| Voila le portrait sans retouches | That is the un-retouched portrait |
| De l'homme auquel j'appartiens | Of the man to whom I belong |
| Quand il me prend dans ses bras | When he takes me into his arms |
| Il me parle l'a tout bas | He speaks to me softly |
| Je vois la vie en rose | And I see life through rose-colored glasses |
| Il me dit des mots d'amour | He speaks words of love to me |
| Des mots de tous les jours | They are every day words |
| Et ça m' fait quelque chose | And they do something to me |
| Il est entré dans mon coeur | He has entered into my heart |
| Une part de bonheur | A bit of happiness |
| Dont je connais la cause | That I know the cause of |
| C'est lui pour moi | It's only him for me |
| Moi pour lui dans la vie | And me for him, for life |
| Il me l'a dit, l'a jure pour la vie | He told me, he swore to me, for life |
| Et, dès que je l'aperçois | As soon as I notice him |
| Alors je sens en moi | I feel inside me |
| Mon coeur qui bat | My heart beating |
| Des nuits d'amour à plus en finir | Endless nights of love |
| Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place | Bring great happiness |
| Les ennuis, les chagrins, s'effacent | The pain and bothers fade away |
| Heureux, heureux à mourir | Happy, so happy I could die |
| Quand il me prend dans ses bras | When he takes me into his arms |
| Il me parle tout bas | He speaks to me softly |
| Je vois la vie en rose | And I see life through rose-colored glasses |
| Il me dit des mots d'amour | He speaks words of love to me |
| Des mots de tout les jours | They are every day words |
| Et ça m' fait quelque chose | And they do something to me |
| Il est entré dans mon coeur | He has entered into my heart |
| Une part de bonheur | A bit of happiness |
| Dont je connais la cause | That I know the cause of |
| C'est lui pour moi | It's only him for me |
| Moi pour lui dans la vie | And me for him, for life |
| Il me l'a dit, l'a jure pour la vie | He told me, he swore to me, for life |
| Et, dès que je l'apercois | As soon as I notice him |
| Alors je sens en moi | I feel inside me |
| Mon coeur qui bat | My heart beating |
| Lalalala, lalalala | Lalalala, lalalala |
| La, la, la, la | La, la, la, la |
La Vie en Rose Vocabulary, Analysis, and Explanation
The great thing about this song is that it uses relatively simple vocabulary to convey the very deep and heartfelt experience of new love. This song captures so many of the small gestures that we associate with falling in love: feeling your heart race as soon as you spot your new love, looking away when they look at you, etc.
baisser: to lower
Des yeux qui font baisser les miens: literally “eyes that make me lower my own”
I’ve chosen to translate that as “a gaze that makes me lower my own” because in the context she is talking about the way he looks at her, rather than his actual eyes. I think we all know the feeling: when someone you really like looks at you and you look away because it’s just too uncomfortable to hold their gaze (even though you want to).
Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche – this is a tough line to translate.
un rire: a laugh
se perdre: to lose itself (oneself)
la bouche: mouth
I’ve chosen to translate this as “a laugh that is lost on his lips;” literally it would be translated “a laugh that loses itself on his lips.” I think that she is referring to the moment when someone laughs a short, fleeting laugh that seems to dance across their lips.
retouche: a correction, amendment, or as we would translate it for a photo “retouching”.
tout bas: literally “all low” but in this context it means “softly” or “quietly”.
OK and now for the chorus/title – how to best translate “la vie en rose”? We use this phrase occasionally in English, and my preference would be to leave it in French since there isn’t a saying in English that is as elegant. However we do have the saying “to see life through rose-colored glasses.” I feel that this sounds a bit awkward, and not nearly as nice as saying “I see la vie en rose,” which would literally translate as “I see life in pink” or “I see life in rosy-hues.”
Il me dit: He speaks to me or he tells me
les mots d’amour, les mots de tous les jours: words of love, everyday words
Here Édith is telling us that her love whispers sweet nothings to her, but also every day words. I like the way she pairs these two lines. By coupling them she seems to be suggesting that both words of love and everyday words are equally precious when they come from the man she loves. How romantic is that?
jurer: to promise, to swear
dès que je l’aperçois: From the moment I perceive him (am aware of him)
Dès que (time): When (time), or as soon as
Dès translates as “from” in the sense that it marks the beginning of a period of time. Dès que means “as soon as” (in French you can also say “aussitôt que”).
à plus finir: endless
I believe this is a shortened version of the more correct: à n’en plus finir, which means “endless”. Often in songs some syllables are dropped (I’m sure you can think of many examples of this in English songs as well.)
s’effacer: to fade
Edith Piaf Performing La Vie en Rose Live
This is from the TV show “La joie de vivre” where Edith Piaf performed live on March 4, 1954. Enjoy!
What do you think of this translation? Do you have any additional questions? Leave them in the comments below! Thank you. 🙂
Love what you have done – the translation on the video and the write-up below.;I appreciate the work you put into it. But It surely elevated my appreciation for the song..
Notwithstanding my lack of understanding of the meaning of the song, ( my French is elementary) La Vie en Rose is my favorite French song. I love all the artists who sing this song, including Mirelle Mathieu but Edith Plaff’s interpretation is simply heavenly..
With better understanding of the song, I can now sing this with more feelings. Ha! ha!
Thank you very much.
Thank you so very much for your translation and interpretation and most of all for the passion you put into this.
I am returning from a funeral of my grandmother during which my godmother (her daughter) sang this song. She sang it because it was the song that played when my grandmother met my grandfather.
I have always felt this was one of the greatest love songs of all time. You can only imagine that today has solidified this feeling in stone.
Having Dutch as my mother tongue, French as second and English as third language you for ever find yourself in analysing language and looking for a deeper or true meaning behind words. Simply because when you learn a language, it teaches you literal translations only get you so far; in fact it is all about the art of interpretation and you did it wonderfully well. True art in my humble opinion.
You may have written this many years ago, but I hope that so many years later these words of appreciation for the love of language still reach you.
Mike
Wow thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. 🙂 My condolences for your loss and I’m glad that you enjoyed the translation. I do really try to preserve the heart of the meaning and help keep the passion of the lyrics because I agree it is one of the greatest love songs of all time. And of course Edith Piaf’s performance is iconic. I hope I’ve captured the soul of the song for an English-speaking audience.
Please translate Leonard Cohen’s La Rose et La Heche
Merci beaucoup pour faire cette traduction précise de « La vie en Rose ». Je suis d’accord avec tous vos interprétations et des sens de chaque mot, chaque phrase… je voudrais trouver une aussi quelle bonne traduction des autres phrases après, de toute la chanson, pour découvrir le sens de l’espoir après avoir perdu son amour…
Love this translation of one of my favorite songs.
Mirelle Mathieu can’t hold a candle to Edith Piaf. The amazing thing about Edith was her vibrato in full voice. Contrast this with Mirelle, who sounds like she is growling with her exaggerated r’s.
Very lovely translation ,, much better than the English version .. I am totally in love with this song and I enjoyed the way that you translate it cuz it’s so romantic
Thank you very much
Best translation ever
My pleasure! I love this song as well and it is SO romantic. It deserves a great translation.
Nicely done thank you. My French is rusty and this helped greatly. It also make much sense as I can still translate a piece of this I think your explanations are great and reinforce the subtleties within
My pleasure! Yes the explanations are really necessary to truly understand the song. Translating songs is an art and a science, and as a French learner myself (for many years now) I think enjoying French music is a great way to learn!
I love your comments
I totally agree–this is a great translation. I studied some French and could tell the English version is just that: an English version rather than a translation. The explanations of the phrases here are great and help me appreciate the song so much more. Thanks for the time and effort put into this!
Thanks for writing this. I read it with pleasure.
My pleasure – I loved writing it. 🙂 It’s a beautiful song and a classic to this day.
Fantastique!
French to english translation deosnt do justice to the subtleties of the language, but such a beautiful song. Thanks for the translation
You’re very welcome, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Yes Google Translate just wouldn’t do it justice would it? 😉 It’s such a lovely song.
That was the best translation/understanding I have ever read of a song that is not in English. I really appreciate the time you took to break down the different parts and explain them. Thank you for doing so.
It was my great pleasure! It’s too beautiful a song just to plug it into Google Translate. 😛 I hope that I’ve captured the heart and soul of the song.
I found your translation and discussion of the nuances in the poem perfect. I am trying to memorise the words in French because they have a simplicity and emotional directness that is very touching.
Thanks for your insights
My pleasure – yes it is a classic love song for a reason. Absolutely gorgeous.
All I can say, besides thank you for this,…is you must love this song as much as I do!
Bravo, that song has always touched my heart, when I hear it I’m reminded of my Mother humming and singing along with it with her best British forced french accent,ahh the memories of love even tho I was but a wee young boy when we were stationed in France in 61 62 63 I still recall it and my heart once again transports me back,my Mother was English and survived hitlers bombings of liverpool one sister was not so lucky and was killed with her husband and children when the bombs fell on the church they were seeking shelter in,so thank you ever so much on behalf of my Mother and all the people’s who were and forevermore Will be the “Greatest generation” and of course the incomparable Edit Piaf I go to listen to it again, and again and again.
Yes, leave la Vie en rose in French. Seeing life through rose colored glasses connotes hopeful pessimism — seeing life better than it really is. There is another possible translation “coming up roses” ( I see life coming up roses ) from Ethel Merman’s signature song in the 1959 Broadway musical, Gypsy, lyrics by Sondheim whose notes reveal his intent was to convey a sense of exuberant optimism – certainly expressed in her performances, not dissimilar to Piaf’s. I believe the matter depends on the intent of the lyricist – which adds a mysterious note to a mystical, enchanting song.
Oh interesting! Thank you for sharing this. I may be due to update this translation a little bit and help with a bit more historical context and reference to other cultural touchstones.
I find it important to know that this was written in the midst of war and Nazi occupation in France. It was likely necessary to see life as better than it was. I am very touched by how she has written a song that overcomes the tragedy that surrounded her, and the love she was able to find despite the sorrow.
Not so, I’m afraid. The very first lyrics were written in October of 1944, when Paris was free again and the whole song was completed after the war was over.
A couple of small suggestions . . .
First stanza:
• “Eyes that make me lower mine” [better meter; physical eyes are more in keeping with the idea of a portrait and perhaps elicit a stronger, more direct experience in the listener because they’re less conceptual]
• “A laugh that loses itself on his lips” [not as good a meter, but more poetic and more evocative for the listener, closer to the actual sense of the French]
• “Of the man I belong to” [“I belong to” instead of “to whom I belong”; although the latter may be traditionally “correct” (although linguists now disagree about the notion of the “dangling preposition” convention), the vernacular is more in keeping with the idea of the “everyday words” that are likely used by both characters]
Second stanza:
• “When he takes me in his arms” (“in his arms” instead of “into his arms”; “in” is idiomatic here; it’s also more poetic that way)
Other:
• “everyday words” instead of “every day words” (here, “every” and “day” get fused into an adjective)
• “And it does something to me” instead of “And they do something to me” (here, would use the vaguer “it” that refers to the whole of the experience, rather than to just the speaking of the words or to the words themselves)—again, more poetic and evocative since it has the listener do a “transderivational search” of his or her own experience and thus produces a kind of altered state as desired
• “It’s him for me and me for him” [instead of “It’s only him for me and me for him” (the language structure is similar to that of “All for one and one for all” and expresses allegiance in a slightly stronger way without the extra word)]
Wow! I’m digging the care and time which you devoted to shedding even more light (and nuance) on the translator’s already very well-crafted and insightful translation and commentary. I wish there was a forum somewhere devoted exclusively to translation and naunced commentary on popular songs (and art songs too, perhaps). This is incredibly helpful for students of language, culture, and singing. Thank you!
I think that all of these are excellent points that improve an already strong translation. Thanks!
I saw one of my friends post this line:
Il me dit des mots d’amour
Des mots de tous les jours
Et ça me fait quelque chose
I had no idea what it meant, and found my way to your beautiful translation, so I just wanted to say
Thanks for your work!
Oh wonderful, I’m happy to help! I love translating songs, and especially this one as it’s one of my absolute favourites. 🙂
This is one my most favorite songs too. I once saw a movie titled “The Dinner.” I believe it was a French movie, black and white, and there were a number of different people with different concerns. I have watched the movie twice but do not quite understand everything it had to say.
Beautifully done, thank you for this.
Thank you for this. A lovely explanation and well explained. I have enjoyed trying to understand the words and your explanation and translation enhances the song and performance.
I’m happy to help – it’s such a beautiful song that it really needs more than just a word-for-word translation. The passion has to be communicated so it helps to explain parts of the song. 🙂
I sing this song in French with only half an understanding of the words but it moved me nonetheless, never really knowing why. Having read your translation, I see now what I could not explain, that I am capable of feeling such passion. What a revelation! And so liberating! Thanks.
My pleasure! It’s such a wonderful song and I tried to keep all the passion in the translation.
Love it…nothing to add. It is a beautiful song in French. Loses a lot in English….can’t compare. Now that I have the translation, I will be singing it often. Merci beaucoup.
Thank you so much. Yes songs are never as good in translation so I wanted to do my best to help English speakers understand this beautiful classic.
Remarkable achievement in keeping the soulful and beautiful poetic meaning of this purely ever romantic Edith Piaf’s song trough your translation. Exceld by perfect explanations which painted the portrait of ‘La Vie an Rose’ with poetic art.
Leeds to believe all other translations may be equally good! Well done! Although one has to agree that even without translation or knowledge of French Edith Piaf’s voice, feeling, tone said it all! Enchanté!
Thank you so much! Yes it’s a lot of work to translate these songs well, so your support is much appreciated. 🙂
The words alone are music, beautiful music.
The translations!! Oh, so wonderful.
Thank you, much appreciated. 🙂
Thank you – I love translating Edith Piaf songs! They are so beautiful and moving and La Vie en Rose is one of my favourites!
*sigh*
Yes it’s pretty romantic isn’t it? 🙂
I wish I had read this days ago, but I didn’t know I was going to hear the song at a cabaret as I did last night. My “heard” French is awful.
It’s much easier for me to read it. My Italian helps. Your comments were insightful. I am a linguist. Thank yo very much.
Thank you Frank! I’m glad that you enjoyed it. 🙂
This is incredible! You are a gifted translator and communicator. What a lovely service to humanity you offer. I am ecstatic to have found your site. Keep up the great work! Thank you!!!
Oh thank you so much Craig for your kind words. 🙂 I love doing these translations so it’s my great pleasure. (And Edith Piaf is one my absolute favourites!)
Thank you, so much for this translation.
This song caught my ear as a child, (Edith Piaf was the “voice”!) and was enchanted. Not until, Lady Gaga’s version in the movie”A Star is Born”; did I find I was enchanted once again! It is a truly beautiful love story.
My pleasure Carole, thank you for your comment. 🙂
Thank you!!
Amazing thank you so much for translating – I was getting half of the words and it meant that I was concentrating on the translation rather than enjoying the song – now I can really appreciate it so much. Thanks a million
Is “Je vois la vie en rose” not “I see life in pink”? Where do “rose-colored glasses” come in?
Well literally “la vie en rose” would translate directly to “life in pink.” But to see “la vie en rose” is a saying that means you are seeing the world optimistically. Just like in English when we say “let’s Netflix and chill” we don’t mean we’re going to watch Netflix in a freezer. To “get your shit together” doesn’t mean you literally collect a pile of poop. 😉 So to see “la vie en rose” means to see life with a very optimistic and “Pollyanna” perspective. One way we say this in English is to say that we see life “through rose coloured glasses.” That’s why I went with that translation, which captures the meaning. 🙂
What colour is “rose colored” ? Isn’t that pink? Sometimes yu can’t translate literally, you have to trasnlate to convey a meaning that sound like the same they wanted to convey in the language you are translating from. Life in pink does not mean much in English, but life in rose color is better, but because there is an expression in English which is more used “though rose colored glasses” as in that American Songbook song Sinatra sang, it’s agood way to translate it.
One of my favorite songs.. but only sung by Edith Piaf.. oui
Hi,
Thanks for this. Your translation is truly helpful
It is interesting that Edith sings some slightly different repeat verses. These are often omitted by lyric sites, and also by karaoke tracks. (I often sing this song in uk pubs)
So instead of;
C’est lui pour moi
Moi pour lui dans la vie
She actually sings:
C’est toi pour moi
Moi pour toi dans la vie
Which is an even more intimate lyric!
Also instead of :
[Et, dès que je l’apercois]
She sings; [je t’apercois]
Thank you so much for your hard work.
Tom
I love your translation of this beautiful song and think it is the best translation I have seen, especially your reasoning behind the translation . Well done keep on going .
Thank you!
It is a beautiful translation. I have one very minor quibble.
“Ile est entre dans mon coeur une part de bonheaur”
The “Il” is not “He”; it is an idiomatic use and means “There has entered into my heart…” It’s similar to “il y a” but is more formal and less often used. Here’s an example:
Il est des choses qu’une mère ne peut raconter à son fils.
Ahhhh very interesting thank you!!
Not just interesting but right. A bit of happiness has come into my heart (to speak in prose).
Hi Peter – thank you! As a former long-term resident of Toronto, I’m glad to see my work being appreciated by the hometown crowd. 😉
Darby, please reconsider the part of the song: “Des niuts d’amour a plus finir
Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place
Les ennuis, les chagrins s’effacent
Heureux, heureux a mourir.”
I am a German native, my mother was French.
I pretty much understand the opposite meaning of your translation.
Thank you!
I have loved this song for over 40 years, but until now have not tried to truly understand all the word. I am only now trying to refresh my learning of the French language and am so thankful to you for your translations of this wonderful song. As you have said before, translating just the words does not convey the intended meaning. I have always wanted to be able to sing the words, now, perhaps I have a new challenge! Thank you so much!
I can’t thank you enough
You’re welcome! 🙂
Thank you … Mum & Dad were soulmates … buddies, pals & friends, husband, wife & parents. Both of them loved this song & as kids ..we grew up listening to Edith Piaf . Now I understand why they both loved this song & Edith Piaf .. beautiful 👏💜🤗😎
That’s so wonderful Kiriwai! Thank you for taking the time to comment. 🙂 I love this song too!
Wow, you really felt this song and it shows in your translation of it. You read into it and appreciate how you explained how you came into the translation, example: putting in gaze instead of eyes. Beautifully done and it puts much more meaning and depth into it . Captures the essence. Thank you!
I served in the RCAF and was stationed in France from June 1963 to July 1967, and in Germany from August 1967 to August 1968.
I remember when Edith Piaf died in October 1963 the massive turnout for her funeral, and the amazing outpouring of grief and sense of loss.
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary in Paris in May 1964 and Edith Piaf’s voice was everywhere, especially Place Pigalle.
She was, and remains, a French national treasure.
“La Vie en Rose” and “Non, Je ne regrette rien”, as performed by ‘The Little Sparrow’ are 2 of my all time favourite songs.
Darby, thank you so very much for your very enlightening interpretation of these beautiful love songs.
I am grateful for your brilliant work.
Awww thank you for your comment Vic, and thank you for your service. 🙂 I’m a Canadian so I really appreciate it.
I agree, knowing the translation makes me love the song even more! Thanks so much for translating and explaining. Beautiful.
Hi Darby, I am writting a music theory paper on La vie en rose and really like your translation of the song. Could I please get the best possibly way to cite your work, so I don’t plagiarize your work lol?
Hi Terrayne – thank you so much for reaching out. Of course, please cite this website as a reference. I believe you can cite it the same way you would any other website. Just google “how to cite a website” and then the citation style that you’re using (i.e. APA, MLA, etc). If you’d like I can send you an email at the email address you’re using to comment here. That way you can contact me if you need specific information. Best of luck with your paper!
Hi Darby,
Thank you very much for the exquisite translation. You captured the fine nuances and the complex feelings we can all identify with. Your translation added hugely to my enjoyment of this beautiful love song. Edith Piaf’s soulful singing voice and your translation of the song adds a dimension to love which transports the listener to other realms of intense emotion. Thank you. Kanwal
I have had only a few years of high school French many years ago, but my impression is that the lyricist was expressing the timelessness of the words of love rather than the “everyday”, which seems to suggest something more mundane.
“Des mots de tout les jours”
You are not wrong despite your brief experience with French. I’d say that and the last line is better translated, “he tells me words of love, words of forever.” Everyday words is perhaps a technical translation, but more interpretation than anything.
Sorry for misspellings, I wrote too fast
I love this translation and it has helped me with all there is to learn out this song. But I have one thought…. Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche… i think she is referring to how she is so enraptured by his lips she can hardly notice the laugh or smile…
Seeing the world through rose-colored glasses is generally considered to have a negative connotation. A couple of other English phrases are more in keeping with the French sentiment:
“Everything’s coming up roses”
or
“Things are looking rosy”
That said, neither quite captures the romantic sentiment expressed in “la vie en rose
As a few commentators have pointed out, Edif Piaf alluded to the war time when she was writing the song, hence she probably needed to see things as better than they actually were.
“everyday” words
It’s good to have the lyrics of this song; it would be even better if you credited the writer.
I loved this song in high school in the 1960s and was excited to see and hear the French version. While I love the French language and am making an attempt to learn to speak it, seeing it written and sung (over and over) has made a difference. Thank you for your efforts.
Thanks for putting up this translation and the videos. I’ve been listening on repeat and especially appreciating the suggestions from French speakers. As someone who knows three languages fluently and has studied poetry in two of them (including English), nuanced translations are greatly appreciated. Thank you once again, Darby!
Thank you so much for the explanatory translation. I am some one who was just learning to read in a French grade school when this song came out. I suspect I first heard it because of my mother and nanny.
I since went on to read English, and to my great regret quickly lose my French accent and most of my ability to speak French. In grade school teasing from other boys can prompt quick changes but I do still remember that the girls my age really liked it.
Now I’m an old man playing with the computer and trying to understand again some the favorite songs of my life.
I will continue my listening of this song with more joy and understanding. Thank so much.
My pleasure Robert! I’m so glad that you enjoy the translation and the song!
Thank you for this translation. When I first sang along with this as a child, I knew only “baby French” and I thought it was a song about happiness dying and nights of love being over. Now, at 75, I am studying French by learning songs, and I spend a lot of time scrolling through WordRefence, trying to discover if some strange phrase is an idiom. But I am finally satisfied that “un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche” is a poetic image.
Again – Wonderful!
Thank you for the subtleties
I am discovering this page only now, and I think it is a very good translation albeit a few points raised by other commentators. There is another point:
Heureux means happy for a man. Heureuse is the feminine form, so “happy, so happy that I could die” is not right, since it is Edith Piaf singing; she would have said: Heureuse, heureuse à en mourir.
But heureux is also the plural form of happy (all male or mix male/female), then it makes sense: it refers to both of them:
Happy, so happy WE could die.