viva
“viva” means “long live” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
long live
Also: hooray for, hurrah for
📝 In Action
¡Viva México! ¡Viva la independencia!
A2Long live Mexico! Long live independence!
Cuando los novios salieron, todos gritaron: '¡Vivan los novios!'
B1When the bride and groom came out, everyone shouted: 'Long live the newlyweds!'
alive, living
Also: bright, vivid, sharp / clever
📝 In Action
A pesar del accidente, la conductora está viva.
A2Despite the accident, the driver is alive.
La tradición de la fiesta sigue muy viva en el pueblo.
B1The festival tradition is still very much alive in the town.
Hizo una descripción muy viva de sus vacaciones.
B2She gave a very vivid description of her vacation.
live
📝 In Action
Espero que mi abuela viva muchos años más.
B1I hope that my grandmother lives many more years.
El médico quiere que yo viva sin estrés.
B1The doctor wants me to live without stress.
¡Viva usted su vida!
B2Live your life! (formal command)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: viva
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'viva' as a cheer?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from Latin. The interjection 'viva' is from Latin 'vīvat', which means 'may he live!'. This is a form of the verb 'vīvere', meaning 'to live'. The adjective comes from the feminine form of Latin 'vīvus', meaning 'alive'.
First recorded: Around the 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'viva' and 'vive'?
Great question! 'Vive' is a simple statement of fact: 'Él vive en España' (He lives in Spain). 'Viva' is used for cheers ('¡Viva la vida!') or for wishes, doubts, and commands: 'Espero que ella viva bien' (I hope that she lives well). So, 'vive' states a reality, while 'viva' often expresses a hope or a feeling.
Why does 'viva' sometimes become 'vivan'?
It changes to match how many people or things you're talking about. Use 'viva' for one thing ('¡Viva el chocolate!') and 'vivan' for more than one ('¡Vivan los perros!'). It's just like how adjectives change for singular and plural.