vive
“vive” means “lives” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
lives, is alive
Also: experiences
📝 In Action
Mi hermana vive en Barcelona.
A1My sister lives in Barcelona.
Él vive una vida muy interesante.
A2He lives a very interesting life.
La reina vive en el palacio.
B1The queen lives in the palace.
📝 In Action
¡No te preocupes tanto y vive el momento!
A2Don't worry so much and live in the moment!
Vive tu vida como quieras, no como quieran los demás.
B1Live your life how you want, not how others want.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: vive
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'vive' as a command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word 'vīvere', which means 'to live', 'to be alive', or 'to last'. It's a very old word that has kept its meaning for thousands of years.
First recorded: Before the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'vive' and 'viva'?
They look similar but have different jobs! 'Vive' is used in two main ways: to say 'he/she/you (formal) lives' (e.g., 'Él vive en México') OR to give a friendly command to one person ('¡Vive tu sueño!'). 'Viva' is a special form used for wishes ('¡Viva el rey!' - Long live the king!), or for giving formal commands ('Viva con cuidado, señor' - Live carefully, sir).
How do I say 'you live' in Spanish?
It depends on who 'you' is! For a friend or someone your age (tú), you say 'vives'. For an elder, a boss, or a stranger (usted), you say 'vive'. For a group of people (ustedes), you say 'viven'.