sống
[səwŋ͡m˧˦]
The Vietnamese word for to live is sống.
The verb sống is used to describe both the biological state of being alive and the act of residing in a specific location.
Meaning: be alive (verb)
Which one should you use?
While sống refers to being alive or residing in a place, use trực tiếp when referring to a live broadcast (as in something being seen or heard as it happens).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous aspect of living somewhere (is/are living), you can add đang before sống to form đang sống.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the word sống is also used to describe something that is 'raw' rather than cooked, such as 'meat' or 'fish'.
- The word sống has a surprising connection to the anatomy of a blade, potentially originating from a term meaning the 'back of the blade' or a 'spine'.
Examples in context
- Bạn sống ở đâu?Where do you live?This sentence is useful for asking someone's place of residence using sống.Tatoeba #4950230 by ChinesePoster, translation #370708 by saeb
- Tôi sống ở đây.I live here.This sentence is useful for stating your own place of residence using sống.Tatoeba #8992788 by dotheduyet1999, translation #444986 by CK
- Bạn sống và học.You live and learn.This sentence uses sống to express the concept of living and learning.Tatoeba #13271031 by leucammieuvu, translation #810562 by CM
- Anh ta sống ở Hà Nội.He lives in Hanoi.
- Tôi sống một cuộc sống hạnh phúc.I lead a happy life.
- Tôi đã đăng ký cư trú tại thành phố này.I have registered my residency in this city.
- Mình sống ở Saigon.I live in Saigon.
- 146 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a small plant.
- LanCái cây này vẫn sống chứ?Is this plant still alive?
- NamNó vẫn sống tốt.It is still living well.
- LanMay mắn là nó vẫn sống.Luckily, it is still alive.
- NamTôi đã chăm sóc nó kỹ.I took good care of it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “live” translations and entries sống, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sống, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
