vida
/bee-dah/
life
Just like this small plant, 'vida' refers to the state of being alive and growing.
📝 In Action
La vida es un regalo.
A1Life is a gift.
Hay señales de vida en el planeta.
A2There are signs of life on the planet.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Girl! (Feminine Noun)
'Vida' is a feminine word, so you always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la vida' (the life) or 'una vida' (a life).
'Vida' can also mean the entire time you are alive, your personal journey from beginning to end.
📝 In Action
He vivido aquí toda mi vida.
A2I have lived here my whole life.
En su vida, viajó por todo el mundo.
B1In his lifetime, he traveled all over the world.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About Your Past
Use 'toda mi vida' (all my life) or 'en mi vida' (in my life) to talk about your experiences over time. It's a great way to tell your story.
Here, 'vida' describes a particular way of living, like 'la vida del campo' (country life) versus 'la vida de la ciudad' (city life).
📝 In Action
Prefiero la vida tranquila del campo.
B1I prefer the quiet country life.
Lleva una vida muy saludable.
A2He/She leads a very healthy life.
La vida de estudiante es divertida pero difícil.
B1Student life is fun but difficult.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding a Descriptor
You can describe a type of life by putting an adjective after 'vida' or using 'de' + noun. For example, 'una vida feliz' (a happy life) or 'la vida de un artista' (the life of an artist).
'Vida' can also mean the energy or excitement of a place or event, like this lively market.
📝 In Action
Este barrio tiene mucha vida por la noche.
B1This neighborhood has a lot of life at night.
La música le dio vida a la fiesta.
B2The music gave life to the party.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vida
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'vida' to mean 'lifestyle'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'vida' and 'vivo'?
'Vida' is the 'thing' (a noun) – 'life' itself. For example, 'La vida es bella' (Life is beautiful). 'Vivo' is a description (an adjective) meaning 'alive' or 'lively'. For example, 'El pez está vivo' (The fish is alive).
How do I say 'to make a living' in Spanish?
The most common phrase is 'ganarse la vida'. For example, 'Trabajo mucho para ganarme la vida' means 'I work a lot to make a living'.
Is 'vida' always feminine?
Yes, always! Even when talking about a man's life, it's always 'la vida'. For example, 'la vida de mi abuelo' (my grandfather's life).