Meant to be Meaning in English

expression · lemma: mean to be

US

ˈmɛnt/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈbi/, /bi

MENT-tuh-BEE

UK

mˈɛnt/ /tˈuː/ /bˈiː

MENT-tuh-BEE

Definition

Used to express that something was destined to happen or when something is supposed to have a special purpose, often for romantic relationships or fate.

Usage & Nuances

Commonly used for destiny, fate, or relationships, especially romantic ones. Can describe things that feel 'right' or predestined. Informal and emotional in tone; not usually used in formal writing.

• Spanish: destinado a ser - estaba destinado (para ser) - hecho para (alguien/algo)
• Portuguese (BR): destinado a ser - era para ser - feito para (alguém/algo)
• Portuguese (PT): destinado a ser - era para ser - feito para (alguém/algo)
• Chinese (Simplified): 注定要 - 命中注定 (爱情/结果)
• Chinese (Traditional): 註定要 - 命中註定 (愛情/結果)
• Hindi: होना तय था - किस्मत में था
• Arabic: مقدر أن يكون - كان من المفترض أن يكون
• Bengali: ভাগ্যের ইচ্ছা - নিয়তি - হওয়ার কথা ছিল
• Russian: суждено - предначертано
• Japanese: 運命だった - なるべくしてなった
• Vietnamese: định mệnh - số phận an bài
• Korean: 운명이었다 - 정해진 일이었다
• Turkish: kaderinde var - olması gerekiyordu
• Urdu: مقدر ہونا - نصیب ہونا
• Indonesian: ditakdirkan - sudah seharusnya

Example Sentences

They believe they were meant to be together.

basic

This job was meant to be for you.

basic

Some things are just meant to be.

basic

After all those years apart, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.

natural

I missed the flight, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.

natural

They met by chance and felt it was meant to be.

natural