restare vivo
/resˈta.re ˈvi.vo/word by word
To say 'stay alive' in Italian, you use restare vivo.
The phrase is used to express the idea of continuing to live or avoiding death. In many contexts, you might choose to use the single verb sopravvivere (to survive) instead, especially when referring to surviving a specific event or hardship.
Which one should you use?
While restare vivo is a standard way to express this, the verb rimanere is a very common synonym that can be used interchangeably, as in rimanere vivo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective part of the phrase must agree in gender and number with the subject. While the default is restare vivo, use restare viva if the subject is a single female and use restare vivi if the subject is plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /resˈta.re ˈvi.vo/. It has five syllables, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, calling someone vivo does not just mean they are not dead, but can describe a person who is 'sharp' or 'clever'.
- The verb restare comes from the Latin 'restāre', which literally means 'to stand back' or 'to stand behind'.
- To express the idea of keeping someone alive, Italians often use the phrase tenere in vita, which translates literally to 'to keep in life'.
Examples in context
- Non mollare! Ti prego, tieni duro e rimani in vita.Don't give up! Please, stay strong and stay alive.
- Ti prego, stai attento alla tua sicurezza e rimani in vita.Please, be careful with your safety and stay alive.
- Devi fare attenzione per restare vivo.You must be careful to stay alive.
- È difficile restare vivo in questa giungla.It is difficult to stay alive in this jungle.
- Il protagonista lotta per restare vivo.The protagonist fights to stay alive.
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are discussing a dangerous adventure movie.
- MartinaIl protagonista non riuscirà mai a restare vivo.The protagonist will never manage to stay alive.
- FrancescoSecondo me troverà un modo.I think he will find a way.
- MartinaMa è circondato da troppi nemici!But he is surrounded by too many enemies!
- FrancescoÈ un film, tutto è possibile.It is a movie, everything is possible.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (restare, vivo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries restare, vivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
