vital
/vee-TAHL/
essential
When something is vital (essential), it is the necessary foundation for everything else.
vital(adjective)
essential
?absolutely necessary
,crucial
?critically important
key
?most important part
,indispensable
?cannot be done without
📝 In Action
La hidratación es vital para los deportistas.
B1Hydration is essential for athletes.
Es vital que firmemos el contrato antes de mañana.
B2It is crucial that we sign the contract before tomorrow.
Su apoyo fue un factor vital en nuestra victoria.
B1Their support was a vital factor in our victory.
💡 Grammar Points
Stays the Same for Gender
Since 'vital' ends in -l, it is used for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'el factor vital' and 'la decisión vital'). You only need to add -es for the plural: 'vitales'.
Using 'Es vital que...'
When you say 'It is vital that...' (Es vital que...), the verb that follows must be in the special form used for wishes and necessities (the subjunctive mood).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Form and Function
Mistake: "La información es vitales."
Correction: La información es vital. The adjective 'vital' only agrees in number (singular or plural), not gender.
⭐ Usage Tips
High Impact Word
'Vital' is a strong word. Use it when you need to emphasize that something is truly the difference between success and failure.
The word vital means related to life, like a steady heartbeat.
vital(adjective)
vital
?related to life
,life-sustaining
?necessary for survival
life-giving
?providing life
📝 In Action
La enfermera revisó los signos vitales del paciente.
B2The nurse checked the patient's vital signs.
El corazón cumple una función vital en el cuerpo humano.
B2The heart fulfills a vital function in the human body.
💡 Grammar Points
Context Clues
When 'vital' is used with medical or biological words (like 'signos' or 'funciones'), it usually refers to the actual processes needed for living, not just abstract importance.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vital
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'vital' in its figurative sense (meaning 'essential')?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn 'vital' into an adverb (meaning 'vitally')?
To make 'vital' describe how an action is done, simply add '-mente' to the end: 'vitalmente'. For example, 'Es vitalmente importante' (It is vitally important).
Does 'vital' change its ending for masculine and feminine nouns?
No, 'vital' is one of those adjectives that stays the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. It only changes when you make it plural by adding '-es' (vitales).