vivo
/ˈbibo/
The Spanish word for living can be vivo, which translates to the English phrase living.
In this context, vivo functions as the first-person singular present indicative of the verb vivir (to live), meaning "I live." It can also serve as an adjective meaning "alive."
Meaning: having life (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word vivo is polysemous. It can mean both "alive" (the adjective) and "I live" (the verb form) depending on the surrounding context. If you are using the word as an adjective to mean "alive," it must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, such as using viva for feminine nouns.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a verb, vivo is the first-person singular present indicative form of vivir. Other conjugated forms include vives, vive, vivimos, vivís and viven.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbibo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes confuse the adjective "alive" with the verb "I live." Remember that while vivo is the conjugated verb form for "I live," you would use the phrase está vivo to express that something "is alive."
Did you know?
- The word vivo is a distant linguistic relative of the archaic English use of 'quick' to mean 'living', as both stem from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- Calling someone vivo can be a double-edged sword, as it suggests they are 'sharp' or 'street-smart' in a way that is often opportunistic or cunning.
- In Spanish, describing a color as vivo doesn't mean it is living, but that it is 'bright' or 'vivid'.
Examples in context
- Vivo con mi tío.I am living with my uncle.This sentence uses vivo to indicate the subject is living with an uncle.Tatoeba #867054 by ildefonk, translation #258533 by CC
- Hace años que vivo aquí.I have been living here for years.This sentence shows the use of vivo to express how long one has been living in a place.Tatoeba #5130284 by don_ramon, translation #1077725 by keira_n
- Sólo vivo cada día a la vez.I'm just living from day to day.This sentence demonstrates the use of vivo to describe the way one lives through life.Tatoeba #5765361 by Lalourquieta, translation #486876 by blay_paul
- Actualmente, resido en Madrid.Currently, I live in Madrid.
- Vivo en Barcelona desde hace tres años.I have been living in Barcelona for three years.
- ¿Dónde vives ahora?Where do you live now?
- Me gusta morar en la tranquilidad del campo.I enjoy living in the tranquility of the countryside.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking at an old plant.
- Alejandro¿Todavía está vivo este cactus?Is this cactus still living?
- SofíaSí, pero necesita más agua.Yes, but it needs more water.
- AlejandroPensé que ya estaba muerto.I thought it was already dead.
- SofíaEs un ser vivo muy resistente.It is a very resilient living being.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
