vivir una buena vida
/bibiɾ una bwena bida/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'live a good life' is translated into Spanish as vivir una buena vida.
In health-related contexts, Spanish speakers often use the expression vivir bien to mean 'living well'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where vivir means 'to live', una means 'a', buena means 'good' and vida means 'life'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the expression gozar de una buena vida can be replaced with disfrutar de una buena vida.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to express a wish or a blessing, such as 'May you live a good life', the verb changes from the infinitive to the subjunctive form viva, resulting in viva una buena vida.
Did you know?
- While vivir una buena vida is a standard wish, a more idiomatic way to describe living life to the fullest is vivir a todo pulmón, which literally means 'to live with all one's lungs'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of wishing someone a 'good life', it is much more common to say que te vaya bien, meaning 'may it go well for you'.
- The Spanish verb vivir is a linguistic relative of the English word 'vivacious', which describes someone full of life and energy.
Examples in context
- María se esfuerza por vivir una buena vida, llena de felicidad y satisfacción.María strives to live a good life, full of happiness and satisfaction.
- Los jóvenes de hoy en día quieren gozar de una buena vida sin preocupaciones.The youth nowadays want to live a good life without worries.
- María busca constantemente la manera de vivir una buena vida, tanto en el trabajo como en su vida personal.María constantly seeks ways to live a good life, both in work and personal life.
- ¡Vamos a disfrutar de una buena vida sin preocupaciones!Let's enjoy a good life without worries!
- Es importante vivir una buena vida.It is important to live a good life.
- Él quiere vivir una buena vida en el campo.He wants to live a good life in the countryside.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking about their future goals.
- JavierSolo quiero vivir una buena vida, Lucía.I just want to live a good life, Lucía.
- LucíaYo también, Javier. ¿Qué significa eso para ti?Me too, Javier. What does that mean to you?
- JavierTener salud y tiempo para mis amigos.Having health and time for my friends.
- LucíaEsa es la mejor forma de lograrlo.That is the best way to achieve it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
