vive tu vida
/bibe tu bida/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'live your life' is translated into Spanish as vive tu vida.
The phrase vive tu vida is a direct translation used to encourage someone to spend their time and make their own choices in a way that makes them happy. Depending on the tone of voice used, it can also function idiomatically to tell someone to 'mind their own business'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb vive (live), the possessive adjective tu (your) and the noun vida (life).
Which one should you use?
You can add al máximo to both the informal and formal versions to mean 'live your life to the fullest'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form vive tu vida uses the informal imperative (tú) command. To express the same command in a formal or respectful manner, use viva su vida.
Did you know?
- The word vida is used in the common Spanish exclamation ¡Qué vida!, which can mean either 'What a great life!' or 'What a miserable life!' depending on the tone.
- The word vida is used in the common Spanish expression dar la vida, which means to give everything or work exhaustively for a goal, moving beyond the literal meaning of 'living your life'.
- In some Spanish speaking cultures, telling someone to vive tu vida can be a sharp social rebuke if said with a certain cadence, functioning similarly to the English phrase 'get a life'.
Examples in context
- Vive tu vida con la precisión de un samurái.Live your life with the precision of a Samurai.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use vive tu vida in a descriptive command.Tatoeba #1475348 by marcelostockle, translation #1475045 by pimmhogeling
- No escuches a los demás, vive tu vida.Don't listen to others, live your life.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking at a café about career choices.
- ElenaJavier, no te preocupes por lo que yo piense.Javier, don't worry about what I think.
- JavierSolo quiero tomar la decisión correcta.I just want to make the right decision.
- ElenaSimplemente vive tu vida y sé feliz.Just live your life and be happy.
- JavierTienes razón, Elena. Gracias.You're right, Elena. Thanks.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
