Je suis vivant
In French, "I am alive" is expressed as Je suis vivant.
The phrase is used to state that one is not dead.
What does it mean word for word?
The word vivant is the present participle of the verb vivre (to live), and it functions here as an adjective meaning living or alive.
Which one should you use?
While Je suis vivant describes a state of being, the phrase Je suis en vie (literally "I am in life") is often used to emphasize survival or the fact of being alive against the odds.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker is female, the adjective must change from vivant to vivante to form Je suis vivante.
Did you know?
- The word suis was influenced by the Latin word fuī, which means 'I was'. In a linguistic twist, the present tense form was shaped by a word from the past tense.
- While vivant translates to 'alive', the French also use the word vivant to describe a person who is 'lively' or 'spirited' in personality.
- The French language has a specific term le vivant, used as a collective noun to refer to 'all living beings' or 'the living world'.
Examples in context
- Je suis vivant, bien que je ne donne pas signe de vie.I am alive even though I am not giving any sign of life.This sentence shows how to use Je suis vivant even when one is not giving any sign of life.Tatoeba #3859 by zmoo, translation #2053 by laurafults
- Je suis vivant, ne t'inquiète pas.I am alive, don't worry.
- Malgré la chute, je suis vivant.Despite the fall, I am alive.
Example conversation
Hugo has just woken up after a long nap and Manon is checking on him.
- ManonHugo, tu m'entends ?Hugo, can you hear me?
- HugoOui, je suis vivant.Yes, I am alive.
- ManonTu m'as fait peur !You scared me!
- HugoDésolé, je dormais profondément.Sorry, I was sleeping deeply.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, suis, vivant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
