vivre, aimer, rire
The phrase "live, love, laugh" in French is vivre, aimer, rire.
This phrase is a popular inspirational motto that encourages people to enjoy life to the fullest. It is composed of three verbs: vivre (to live), aimer (to love) and rire (to laugh).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase uses the infinitive form of each verb. In French, this functions like the English "to [verb]", meaning the phrase literally translates to "to live, to love, to laugh".
How does it change in a sentence?
While the infinitive form vivre, aimer, rire is used for the motto itself, you may need different forms if you are using these words as commands. If you are telling a single person to live, love and laugh in an informal way, use the imperative forms vis, aime, ris. If you are addressing a group of people or using a formal tone, use the imperative forms vivez, aimez, riez. Additionally, while rire is the standard verb for laugh, you can use the informal counterpart rigoler to mean laugh.
Did you know?
- The French verb vivre is a distant relative of the English word 'quick', as both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷeyh₃- meaning 'to live'.
- In French, the word aimer can mean 'to love' a person, but it is also the standard way to say you 'like' an object or a hobby.
- The motto vivre, aimer, rire uses the infinitive form because in French, infinitives can function as nouns to express general concepts or goals.
Examples in context
- Nous passons notre temps à vivre, aimer et rigoler ensemble.We spend our time living, loving, and laughing together.
- Vivre, aimer, rire, c'est une belle philosophie.Live, love, laugh, it is a beautiful philosophy.
- J'adore ce tatouage : vivre, aimer, rire.I love this tattoo: live, love, laugh.
- Il faut simplement vivre, aimer, rire.One must simply live, love, laugh.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a decorative poster in a gift shop.
- LucasRegarde ce poster, il dit vivre, aimer, rire.Look at this poster, it says live, love, laugh.
- ManonOh, c'est très mignon et très positif !Oh, it is very cute and very positive!
- LucasTu penses que je devrais l'acheter pour toi ?Do you think I should buy it for you?
- ManonOui, j'adore cette idée, Lucas.Yes, I love that idea, Lucas.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aimer, rire, vivre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
