vivo
/ˈbibo/
The Spanish phrase vivo can mean 'alive' or 'I live'.
In Argentina, vivo is also a colloquial term used to describe someone who is cunning, sly or cunningly manipulative.
Which one should you use?
The meaning of vivo changes based on context: it can be an adjective meaning 'alive' or the verb form meaning 'I live'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective meaning 'alive', vivo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, taking the forms viva, vivos or vivas. If you are using the word as an interjection to express 'long live' (for example, 'Long live the King!'), you should use the subjunctive form viva.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbibo/
Did you know?
- The phrase está vivo is used to describe not just a person, but also a color that is bright or intense.
- The Spanish word vivo shares a prehistoric root with the English word 'quick' in its archaic sense of meaning 'alive' or 'living'.
- During the Middle Ages, the standard way to write this word in Old Spanish was actually bivo instead of the modern vivo.
Examples in context
- Señor García, permítame decirle que está usted muy vivo en los negocios.Mr. García, let me tell you that you are very shrewd in business.
- ¡No te fíes de él, es un vivo!Don't trust him, he's cunning!
- El paciente sigue vivo.The patient is still alive.
- Es un alivio que esté vivo.It is a relief that he is alive.
- Todos los animales están vivos.All the animals are alive.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about a stray dog they found.
- Javier¿El perro está vivo?Is the dog alive?
- MaríaSí, el pobre está vivo.Yes, the poor thing is alive.
- JavierMenos mal que sigue vivo.It's a good thing he is still alive.
- MaríaVamos a ayudarlo.Let's help him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vivo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
