vivo
/ˈbibo/
The Spanish word for 'alive' is vivo.
The primary meaning is having life. In a colloquial sense, describing a person as vivo can also mean they are sharp, clever or quick-witted.
Meaning: having life (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use viva for feminine singular subjects, vivos for masculine plural subjects and vivas for feminine plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbibo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When describing the state of being alive, use the verb estar rather than ser.
Did you know?
- The phrase ¡Viva! is used globally in cheers and celebrations to wish long life to a person or idea. While vivo describes the state of being alive, viva is the subjunctive form used to express a wish or command for life to continue.
- The Spanish word vivo can also describe a very bright or intense color, such as rojo vivo for 'bright red'. In this context, it refers to the 'lifelike' intensity of the hue.
- In Spanish, the phrase está vivo can describe a person, but the phrase está vivo is also used to describe a flickering flame or a glowing ember that has not yet gone out.
Examples in context
- Él aún sigue vivo.He is still alive.This sentence is useful for showing how to say someone is still alive.Tatoeba #1284248 by leoruilova, translation #292869 by CK
- ¿Sigue vivo el pez?Is this fish still alive?This sentence is useful for asking if a fish is still alive.Tatoeba #1351335 by marcelostockle, translation #59696 by CK
- Los dos están vivos.Both are alive.This sentence is useful for stating that both subjects are alive.Tatoeba #701372 by Shishir, translation #72810 by Zifre
- Estoy vivo/a después del accidente.I am alive after the accident.
- Necesitamos asegurarnos de mantener a las personas vivas.We need to ensure that people remain alive.
- ¡Hola, amigo! ¿Estás vivo o muerto de sueño?Hi, buddy! Are you alive or dead tired?
- Ayer me asustaste, pensé que no ibas a salir vivo de esa situación.Yesterday you scared me, I thought you wouldn't come out alive from that situation.
- 172 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are checking on a small bird they found.
- Javier¿Crees que el pájaro está vivo?Do you think the bird is alive?
- ElenaSí, Javier, parece que está vivo.Yes, Javier, it seems to be alive.
- JavierQué bueno que esté vivo.I'm glad it is alive.
- ElenaMenos mal que lo encontramos.It's a good thing we found it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alive” translations and entries vivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
