vive
/viv/
The French phrase for "viva" is vive.
This exclamation is used to express hope for the long life or success of a person or thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The standard form vive is the third-person singular present subjunctive of the verb vivre (to live). When the subject of the exclamation is plural, the form changes to vives to agree with the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/viv/
Did you know?
- The word vive is also an adjective meaning 'bright' or 'lively', so the phrase Vive la France! creates a subtle linguistic play on the country being both alive and vibrant.
- French speakers sometimes use vive in a cynical way to describe a situation that is actually failing, such as saying Vive la grève! when a strike causes total chaos.
- In historical French revolutionary contexts, the phrase was often flipped to Vive la République!, signaling a shift from praising a person to praising an abstract political ideal.
Examples in context
- Vive la France!Long live France!
- Vive la Reine!Long live the Queen!
- Vive l'amitié franco-allemande!Long live Franco-German friendship!
- À bas les restrictions!Down with the restrictions!
- Vive la musique!Long live music!
- Vive les vacances!Long live holidays!
- Vivent les mariés !Long live the newlyweds!
- Vive notre amitié !Long live our friendship!
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are celebrating their successful art project.
- HugoVive notre succès !Long live our success!
- LéaOui, vive l'art !Yes, long live art!
- HugoTu as fait un excellent travail, Léa.You did an excellent job, Léa.
- LéaMerci Hugo, c'était un vrai plaisir.Thank you Hugo, it was a real pleasure.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vive, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
