vive
/viv/
In French, "long live" is translated as vive. If unsure, use vive. Wiktionary also lists longue vie à.
Meaning: prosper (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| vive | /viv/ |
| longue vie à |
The form vive is used as an exclamation to wish that someone or something prospers. It is typically used followed immediately by the subject, such as Vive la France !
Which one should you use?
While vive is a single word used as an exclamation, longue vie à is a full noun phrase meaning "long life to".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form vive is the third-person singular present subjunctive of the verb vivre (to live). When using the phrase longue vie à, you must include the preposition à before the person or thing being toasted.
How do you pronounce it?
/viv/
Did you know?
- While vive expresses support, the opposite sentiment is expressed by à bas, which literally means 'down to'. For example, À bas le roi ! means 'Down with the king !'
- In historical contexts, Vive le Roi ! was not just a wish but a legal requirement for loyalty. Saying the opposite during the monarchy could be interpreted as treason.
- The preposition à in longue vie à is a linguistic 'hybrid' from the Middle Ages, having merged the functions of the Latin words 'ad' and 'ab'.
Examples in context
- Vive la Russie !Long live Russia!This sentence demonstrates the use of vive to express support for a country.Tatoeba #12493523 by always, translation #10701945 by Amastan
- Vive le communisme !Long live communism!This sentence shows how vive is used to express support for an ideology.Tatoeba #10497698 by pkill, translation #12197122 by Miktsoanit
- Vive le Québec libre !Long live free Quebec!This sentence illustrates how vive can be used in a political exclamation.Tatoeba #10499856 by pkill, translation #11758735 by Fenrir
- Vive le Président!Long live the President!
- Vive la France!Long live France!
- Vive le Roi!Long live the King!
- Vive les mariés!Long live the newlyweds!
- Vive la musique!Long live music!
- Vive la liberté!Long live freedom!
- Vive l'égalité!Long live equality!
- Vive la révolution!Long live the revolution!
- Vive la belle France!Long live beautiful France!
- Vive la joyeuse fête!Long live the joyful celebration!
- Vive l'incroyable amour!Long live incredible love!
- Vive Napoléon!Long live Napoleon!
- Vive la France éternelle!Long live eternal France!
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are celebrating the victory of their local sports team.
- ManonVive notre équipe de foot !Long live our football team!
- HugoOui, vive la victoire !Yes, long live the victory!
- ManonOn va fêter ça, Hugo.We are going to celebrate that, Hugo.
- HugoC'est une excellente idée, Manon.That is an excellent idea, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “long live” translations and entries vive, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vie, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
