vívido
/ˈbibido/
The English word "vivid" translates to Spanish as vívido.
The adjective is used to describe something that is bright, intense or colourful.
Meaning: bright, intense or colourful (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term resplandeciente is often used to convey the idea of something vivid, brilliant or radiant.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, vívido must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use vívida for feminine nouns, vívidos for masculine plural nouns and vívidas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbibido/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, Spanish uses the phrase colores chillones to describe colors that are too 'vivid' or 'loud'.
- The word vívido shares a deep genetic link with the English word 'alive', as both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷeyh₃-, meaning 'to live'.
- While vívido describes a color, Spanish speakers often use the word vivo to describe 'bright' colors, such as rojo vivo for 'bright red'.
Examples in context
- La pintura es vívida y llena de contrastes.The painting is vivid and full of contrasts.
- Su descripción fue tan vívida que pude imaginarme el lugar.His/her description was so vivid that I could picture the place.
- Tuvo una charla intensa y vívida sobre el futuro de la humanidad.He/she had an intense and vivid discussion about the future of humanity.
- Los colores de ese cuadro son muy vibrantes.The colors of that painting are very vivid.
- ¡Mira qué vestido tan colorido! Parece un arcoíris.Look at that dress, so colorful! It looks like a rainbow.
- El mercado estaba lleno de puestos con frutas y verduras muy coloridas.The market was full of stalls with very colorful fruits and vegetables.
- Tiene un recuerdo vívido de su infancia.He has a vivid memory of his childhood.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- DanielMira este cuadro, es muy vívido.Look at this painting, it is very vivid.
- ElenaTienes razón, Daniel, los colores resaltan mucho.You are right, Daniel, the colors really stand out.
- Daniel¿Te gusta el contraste tan vívido?Do you like such a vivid contrast?
- ElenaSí, Elena cree que es impresionante.Yes, Elena thinks it is impressive.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vívido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vívido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
