<ul>
<li>"It is what it is" (imply it can't be changed) </li>
</ul>

<p>(事情)就是這樣 </p>

<ul>
<li>"I am what I am" (imply I can't be changed)</li>
</ul>

<p>我就是這樣 </p>

<ul>
<li>"they are what they are"  (imply they can't be changed)</li>
</ul>

<p>他們就是這樣</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-01T05:55:28.730Z
2016-11-01T05:55:28.730Z
Tang Ho
<p>These are overused terms commonly considered meaningless nowadays.</p>

<p>The meaning is broad and vague and depends on situations.  Sometimes it can mean "本該如此" and sometimes it may mean "幹!"  (i.e., "fxck it").</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-02T01:52:20.873Z
2016-11-02T01:52:20.873Z
Henry HO
<p>Sorry to disagree with the distinguished colleague 唐后
We think "I am what I am." is better translated: </p>

<p>'我就是我。‘</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-01T14:21:26.103Z
我就是我 means " I am who I am" (not other person) ; while " I am what I am" describe what kind of person I am, for example: "a pragmatic man" (and that can't be changed). My name is  not 唐后.
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-01T16:04:32.407Z
Old English hwa "who," sometimes "what; anyone, someone; each; whosoever," from Proto-Germanic *hwas. My Chinese friends disagree with your interpretation. Fundamentally, who means 'what person', note the 'hwa'. Nota bene: everything changes! Is who you are not what you are?
Gangosa
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-02T09:18:33.307Z
There is no need to apologise if you disagree with others. But you need to present more supporting arguments. Here I think the problem is because OP's question isn't clear in English anyway.
jf328
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-01T13:37:03.880Z
2016-11-01T13:37:03.880Z
Gangosa
<p>How to translate:</p>

<ul>
<li>"It is what it is"</li>
<li>"I am what I am"</li>
<li>"They are what they are"</li>
</ul>

<p>Suppose phrase means "it" etc. are difficult to characterize or classify.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-01T05:27:37.630Z
Removed biblical reference as you already provided the translation
going
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-01T14:37:47.550Z
Above phrases may be in answer to the question, "what is it?", etc. following differing assertions about "it",  some saying "it is nonsense", some "it is wisdom"  etc.
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-02T09:13:51.583Z
The original meaning in English isn't clear from the question. "It is what it is" seems to mean idiomatically "fxck it, we will unwillingly deal with it". But OP says it's used as an answer to "what is it". Please clarify your question, at least put more context into it.
jf328
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-02T11:47:53.010Z
read preceding comment?
user6065
<translation>
How to translate "it is what it is" ,etc.?
# How to translate "it is what it is" ,etc.?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-11-01)

How to translate:

* "It is what it is"
* "I am what I am"
* "They are what they are"

Suppose phrase means "it" etc. are difficult to characterize or classify.

**Tags:** translation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Removed biblical reference as you already provided the translation  
> **username_0**: Above phrases may be in answer to the question, "what is it?", etc. following differing assertions about "it",  some saying "it is nonsense", some "it is wisdom"  etc.  
> **username_2**: The original meaning in English isn't clear from the question. "It is what it is" seems to mean idiomatically "fxck it, we will unwillingly deal with it". But OP says it's used as an answer to "what is it". Please clarify your question, at least put more context into it.  
> **username_0**: read preceding comment?  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-11-01. Score: 2

* "It is what it is" (imply it can't be changed)

(事情)就是這樣

* "I am what I am" (imply I can't be changed)

我就是這樣

* "they are what they are" (imply they can't be changed)

他們就是這樣


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-11-02. Score: 0

These are overused terms commonly considered meaningless nowadays.

The meaning is broad and vague and depends on situations. Sometimes it can mean "本該如此" and sometimes it may mean "幹!" (i.e., "fxck it").


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2016-11-01. Score: 0

Sorry to disagree with the distinguished colleague 唐后
We think "I am what I am." is better translated:

'我就是我。‘

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: 我就是我 means " I am who I am" (not other person) ; while " I am what I am" describe what kind of person I am, for example: "a pragmatic man" (and that can't be changed). My name is  not 唐后.  
> **username_5**: Old English hwa "who," sometimes "what; anyone, someone; each; whosoever," from Proto-Germanic *hwas. My Chinese friends disagree with your interpretation. Fundamentally, who means 'what person', note the 'hwa'. Nota bene: everything changes! Is who you are not what you are?  
> **username_2**: There is no need to apologise if you disagree with others. But you need to present more supporting arguments. Here I think the problem is because OP's question isn't clear in English anyway.  

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