ζω
zo/ˈzo/
The English phrase 'live' can be translated into Greek as ζω (zo).
The verb ζω means to be alive. The formal word Κατοικώ is used in legal, administrative or official documents to mean 'live'.
Meaning: be alive (verb)
Which one should you use?
The verb ζω (to live/be alive) is distinct from the adjective ζωντανός, which is used to describe living creatures or things like a live broadcast. For the adverbial sense of 'as it happens', you may use ζωντανά or the colloquial transliteration λάιβ.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ζω is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb, meaning 'I live'.
How do you pronounce it?
ζω is pronounced /ˈzo/.
Did you know?
- The word ζω is a distant relative of the English word 'quick' in the sense of 'the quick and the dead'. Both share a common ancestor in the Proto-Indo-European root for 'life'.
- The root of ζω is found in many English words used in science, such as 'zoology', which is the study of living organisms.
- While ζω describes the state of being alive, Greek has a distinct word βιώω used specifically for 'experiencing' or 'undergoing' a certain way of life.
Examples in context
- Ζω στο Νέο Δελχί.I live in New Delhi.This sentence demonstrates using ζω to express residence in a city.Tatoeba #5523587 by Zeus, translation #4156736 by richke
- Δε ζω στο Τουρίνο.I don't live in Turin.This sentence shows how to use ζω in a negative statement regarding residence.Tatoeba #2464461 by Zeus, translation #2463639 by CN
- Δε ζω στη Βοστώνη.I don't live in Boston.Tatoeba #5619003 by Zeus, translation #2361346 by CK
- Ζω στην Αθήνα.I live in Athens.
- Ο φοιτητής κατοικεί σε μια μικρή πόλη.The student lives in a small town.
- Πού μένεις;Where do you live?
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Kostas are discussing their philosophy of life.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΘέλω να ζω κάθε στιγμή στο fullest.Thélo na zo káthe stigmí sto fullest.I want to live every moment to the fullest.
- Κώστας KostasΕίναι σημαντικό να ζω με χαρά, Αναστασία.Eínai simantikó na zo me chará, Anastasía.It is important to live with joy, Anastasia.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΑκριβώς, έτσι ζω εγώ τη ζωή μου.Akrivós, étsi zo egó ti zoí mou.Exactly, that is how I live my life.
- Κώστας KostasΣυμφωνώ, Κώστας είμαι και το πιστεύω.Symfonó, Kóstas eímai kai to pistévo.I agree, I am Kostas and I believe that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “live” translations and entries ζω, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ζω, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
