¡viva el rey!
/ˈbiba el ˈrei/word by word
The Spanish phrase for "long live the king" is ¡viva el rey!
¡viva el rey! is an exclamation used to express loyalty or to wish for the long life and reign of a monarch. You can also use the formulaic structure ¡viva [noun]! to show support for various people, countries or concepts, such as ¡viva México!
What does it mean word for word?
The word viva is the third-person singular present subjunctive form of the verb vivir (to live), so it literally translates to "may [he] live".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbiba el ˈrei/
Did you know?
- During the 19th century, various Latin American independence movements replaced ¡viva el rey! with ¡viva la patria!, switching loyalty from a person to the homeland.
- In a political context, if someone shouts ¡viva la muerte!, they are expressing a very intense, often radical, ideological sentiment rather than literally wishing for death.
- The word rey is a distant relative of the English word 'regal'. Both trace their roots back to the Latin word rēgem meaning 'ruler'.
Examples in context
- En nombre del pueblo, ¡viva el Rey!In the name of the people, long live the King!
- ¡Viva el Rey! Que tenga una historia de reinado próspera.Long live the King! May he have a prosperous reign.
- Larga vida al Rey, un verdadero símbolo de nuestra nación.Long life to the King, a true symbol of our nation.
- ¡viva el rey!Long live the king!
- Todos gritaban: ¡viva el rey!Everyone shouted: long live the king!
Example conversation
Two people are watching a royal parade on television.
- Elena¡Mira, ahí viene el desfile!Look, the parade is coming!
- Mateo¡Es impresionante! ¡viva el rey!It is impressive! Long live the king!
- ElenaMateo, parece un momento muy histórico.Mateo, it looks like a very historical moment.
- MateoSí, Elena, es un día especial.Yes, Elena, it is a special day.
