vida

/bee-dah/

A tiny green sprout pushing up through dark soil, representing the beginning of life.

Just like this small plant, 'vida' refers to the state of being alive and growing.

vida (Noun)

fA1
life?The state of being alive

📝 In Action

La vida es un regalo.

A1

Life is a gift.

Hay señales de vida en el planeta.

A2

There are signs of life on the planet.

Related Words

Synonyms

  • existencia (existence)

Antonyms

  • muerte (death)

Common Collocations

  • dar vida ato give life to
  • cuestión de vida o muertea matter of life or death

💡 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).

A simple timeline showing a person's journey from baby to old age, representing a lifetime.

'Vida' can also mean the entire time you are alive, your personal journey from beginning to end.

vida (Noun)

fA2
lifetime?The duration of one's existence
Also:life?As in 'my whole life'

📝 In Action

He vivido aquí toda mi vida.

A2

I have lived here my whole life.

En su vida, viajó por todo el mundo.

B1

In his lifetime, he traveled all over the world.

Related Words

Common Collocations

  • toda la vidaall one's life
  • en mi vida(never) in my life

Idioms & Expressions

  • la vida es cortaLife is short (so enjoy it)

⭐ 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.

A split image showing a quiet, rustic countryside scene on one side and a bustling, vibrant city street on the other, representing different lifestyles.

Here, 'vida' describes a particular way of living, like 'la vida del campo' (country life) versus 'la vida de la ciudad' (city life).

vida (Noun)

fB1
life?A particular way of living
Also:lifestyle?e.g., a healthy lifestyle

📝 In Action

Prefiero la vida tranquila del campo.

B1

I prefer the quiet country life.

Lleva una vida muy saludable.

A2

He/She leads a very healthy life.

La vida de estudiante es divertida pero difícil.

B1

Student life is fun but difficult.

Related Words

Synonyms

  • modo de vivir (way of living)

Common Collocations

  • estilo de vidalifestyle
  • calidad de vidaquality of life
  • ganarse la vidato earn a living

⭐ 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).

A bustling town square filled with people talking, laughing, and moving around, conveying a sense of energy and liveliness.

'Vida' can also mean the energy or excitement of a place or event, like this lively market.

vida (Noun)

fB1
liveliness?Energy, animation
Also:life?e.g., 'full of life',vibrancy?Of a city or place

📝 In Action

Este barrio tiene mucha vida por la noche.

B1

This neighborhood has a lot of life at night.

La música le dio vida a la fiesta.

B2

The music gave life to the party.

Related Words

Synonyms

  • animación (animation, liveliness)
  • energía (energy)

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar lleno de vidaTo be full of life/energy

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: vida

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence uses 'vida' to mean 'lifestyle'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

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).