жить
žitʹ[ʐɨtʲ]imperfective
To live in Russian is expressed as жить (žitʹ). Wiktionary also lists прожи́ть (prožítʹ).
Meaning: be alive (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| жить | žitʹ | [ʐɨtʲ] (narrow) [ʐɨt͡sʲ] (narrow) |
imperfective |
| прожи́ть | prožítʹ | perfective |
If you wish to describe something happening as it happens in a broadcast, such as a live television program, do not use the verb for living. Instead, use the phrase в прямо́м эфи́ре.
Which one should you use?
The imperfective form жить is used for the ongoing process of living or for habitual living. In contrast, the perfective form прожить is used when you want to emphasize completing a specific duration of time or surviving a certain period.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
жить is a second conjugation verb. This means its present tense forms will end in –у, –ешь, –ет, –ем, –ете, –ют.
How do you pronounce it?
žitʹ
Did you know?
- The Russian word жить is a distant relative of the English word 'quick'. While 'quick' now usually means fast, it originally meant 'alive' in Old English.
- While English uses 'live' for both residing and broadcasting, Russian uses в прямом эфире for broadcasts, which literally translates to 'in the direct ether'.
- The Russian phrase жить-пожить can be used to describe living somewhere for a short while before moving on, creating a rhythmic repetition that implies transience.
Examples in context
- Я не хочу жить.I don't want to live.This sentence expresses a personal desire regarding the act of living.Tatoeba #3646744 by sharptoothed, translation #1657748 by CK
- Где я буду жить?Where will I live?This sentence asks about a future place of residence.Tatoeba #4755031 by marafon, translation #4500046 by CK
- Я нашёл где жить.I found a place to live.This sentence expresses finding a place to live.Tatoeba #6578926 by marafon, translation #2327212 by CK
- Я живу в Москве.I live in Moscow.
- Он проживает в Санкт-Петербурге.He lives in Saint Petersburg.
- Где ты живешь?Where do you live?
- 1123 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Dmitry are talking about a brave dog.
- Мария MariaСобака была очень ранена, но будет жить.Sobaka byla ochen' ranena, no budet zhit'.The dog was badly injured, but it will live.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто настоящее чудо!Eto nastoyashchee chudo!That is a real miracle!
- Мария MariaДа, она хочет жить.Da, ona khochet zhit'.Yes, she wants to live.
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ рад за неё, Мария.Ya rad za neyo, Mariya.I am happy for her, Maria.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “live” translations and entries жить, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries жить, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
