Did someone say ‘que sera sera’ after you made a minor mistake at work? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘que sera sera’ is a Spanish term. It means you shouldn’t worry about things out of your control. It’s a way of saying that our destiny is predetermined, and we have no control over the outcome of our lives.
You can think of ‘que sera sera’ as referring to fate and ‘whatever will be will be.’ It’s similar to the saying, ‘it is what it is,’ or ‘there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s out of your hands.’
Example Usage
"I don't know how it happened or why Que sera sera. It's out of our control, and there's nothing we can do about it, so relax and chill out."
"There's nothing to worry about. Que sera sera. Just take life as it comes and be grateful for every day you're alive on this planet.'
"There's no reason to get upset about it. There was nothing you could do to prevent it. Que sera sera, life just works out that way sometimes.'
“Keep calm and que sera sera. Sure, you could get all bent out of shape about it, but what's that going to do to benefit your situation?"
"Que sera sera. It is what it is, and there's nothing we can do but go along for the ride. You can't change the things in life that are out of your control."
"Look, you can sit here and blame yourself for the rest of your life or brush it off and move on. Que sera sera, life sometimes doesn't work out the way we want it to, but that's not your fault."
"That lady just said 'que sera sera' to me. What does that mean? I don't speak Spanish, so I have no idea what she's banging on about."
Origin
The expression 'que sera sera' originates from the popular Spanish song, 'Que Sera, Sera.' Performed by Doris Day in 1956. There were several versions of the song, but this iteration spread the use of 'que sera sera' into mainstream culture.
The Doris Day version of 'que sera sera' appears in Alfred Hitchcock's film, 'The Man Who Knew Too Much,' released in 1956. Songwriters Jay Livingston and Ray Evans wrote the song for Day, who released the track on Columbia Records.
The song was such a hit that Doris Day used it as the intro for 'The Doris Day Show.' The expression appears in the song as follows.
"Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be."
Phrases Similar to Que Sera Sera
- Keep calm and carry on.
- What will be will be.
- It’s our fate.
- It’s in the cards.
- That’s life.
Phrases Opposite to Que Sera Sera
- You can make a difference.
- It’s up to you.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Que sera sera.
Ways People May Say Que Sera Sera Incorrectly
The phrase 'que sera sera' means fate determines your future. So, you wouldn't use it in the context that you're in control of your life or responsible for your actions or words.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Que Sera Sera
You can use the expression 'que sera sera' in text-based communications and verbal exchanges. It's a way of saying that fate is in control, and there is nothing you can do but accept your destiny. The saying suits situations where you want to explain that fate is in charge of the universe, and your life is predetermined by forces outside your control.
The expression suits social and professional use. Use it at work when you want to say that the company's performance is out of your hands, and you're along for the ride. Use it with friends to brush off a bad life experience. 'Que sera sera' is similar to the modern expression 'Keep calm and carry on."