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Wenn es nicht sein soll, dann soll es nicht sein

/vɛn ɛs nɪçt zaɪn ʃɔl, dan ʃɔl ɛs nɪçt zaɪn/
proverb★Intermediate— accepting fate or circumstances◆proverb
◆ What It Really Means
Accepting that certain outcomes are beyond one's control and should be left to fate.
¶ Literal Meaning
If it is not supposed to be, then it is not supposed to be.
Literal Breakdown
WennIf+esit+nichtnot+seinto be+sollshould+dannthen
◇ Mental Image
The proverb evokes the image of surrendering to the natural flow of life, much like accepting the turning of seasons or the course of a river.
◈ When to Use
A person who has tried multiple times to achieve a goal but keeps failing might use this phrase to accept that it might not be meant for them.
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb reflects a cultural tendency in German-speaking regions to value acceptance and fatalism in certain situations, often seen as a pragmatic approach to life's challenges.
informal

A proverb expressing acceptance of fate or circumstances, suggesting that if something is not meant to happen, one should not force it.

Er versuchte jahrelang, eine bestimmte Stelle zu bekommen, aber es klappte nie. Am Ende sagte er: Wenn es nicht sein soll, dann soll es nicht sein.

He tried for years to get a certain position, but it never worked out. In the end, he said: If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be.

💡

This proverb is often used to express resignation or surrender to circumstances beyond one's control.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

Das Schicksal nimmt seinen Laufproverb
Fate takes its course
Was sein soll, wird seinproverb
What will be, will be

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This proverb is often used to comfort someone who has faced repeated setbacks or to justify giving up on a pursuit that seems unattainable.

⚡Gold Rule

Philosophical Acceptance

The phrase embodies a philosophy of acceptance, suggesting that some things are beyond human control and should be left to fate.

📖Word Origin

This proverb originates from German folk wisdom and reflects a fatalistic or philosophical acceptance of life's outcomes.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in situations where repeated efforts have failed, and the speaker decides to accept the outcome rather than continue struggling.

Word Breakdown

Wenn es nicht sein soll
If it is not meant to be
phrase
+
dann soll es nicht sein
then it is not meant to be
phrase
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch

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