vivant
/vi.vɑ̃/
The English word "living" can be translated into French as vivant when used as an adjective meaning "having life".
The word vivant is an adjective used to describe entities that possess life. While 'vivant' is an adjective meaning 'living', the noun for 'a life' is 'la vie'.
Meaning: having life (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, using the feminine form vivant becomes vivante. The adjective takes an 's' to form the masculine plural vivants. The adjective takes 'es' to form the feminine plural vivantes.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /vi.vɑ̃/.
Did you know?
- In the phrase un tableau vivant, the term refers to a 'living picture' where human actors pose motionless to recreate a work of art.
- The phrase est-ce que c'est vivant? can be used to ask if a business or a neighborhood is 'bustling' and full of activity.
- The English word 'vivid' and the French word vivant share a common ancestor in the Latin word 'vivus'.
Examples in context
- C'est un fossile vivant !He is a living fossil!This sentence uses vivant to describe a fossil.Tatoeba #13483 by sacredceltic, translation #32325 by CM
- Aucun homme vivant ne peut tout.No living person can do everything.This sentence uses vivant to describe a person.Tatoeba #3515178 by sacredceltic, translation #12987717 by rul
- C'est le plus grand artiste vivant.He is the greatest living artist.This sentence uses vivant to describe an artist.Tatoeba #14489 by sacredceltic, translation #296075 by Eldad
- Elle habite dans un appartement.She lives in an apartment.
- Nous habitons en ville.We live in the city.
- Il réside dans un quartier chic.He resides in an upscale neighborhood.
- Elle réside actuellement en Belgique.She currently lives in Belgium.
- On vit bien ici.We live well here.
- Ils vivent ensemble sans se marier.They live together without getting married.
- Nous demeurons dans une maison près du fleuve.We live in a house near the river.
- Tu comptes demeurer ici pour combien de temps ?How long do you plan to stay here?
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are visiting a nature museum.
- ChloéRegarde ce petit insecte vivant !Look at this small living insect!
- GabrielIl est vraiment impressionnant, Chloé.It is really impressive, Chloé.
- ChloéC'est rare de voir un spécimen vivant ici.It's rare to see a living specimen here.
- GabrielOui, Gabriel a raison, c'est fascinant.Yes, Gabriel is right, it's fascinating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “living” translations and entries vivant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vivant, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
