vives
“vives” means “you live” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
you live
Also: you dwell
📝 In Action
¿Dónde vives ahora?
A1Where do you live now (reside)?
Si vives en esa ciudad, debes conocer el parque central.
A2If you live in that city, you must know the central park.
Dime dónde vives, para visitarte.
A1Tell me where you live, so I can visit you.
you lead (a life)
Also: you experience
📝 In Action
¡Vives como un rey en esa mansión!
B1You live like a king in that mansion!
Si vives cada día al máximo, no tendrás arrepentimientos.
B2If you live every day to the fullest, you won't have regrets.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: vives
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'vives' to ask about someone's residence?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin verb *vivere*, meaning 'to be alive' or 'to dwell.' It has maintained its core meaning consistently throughout the history of Spanish.
First recorded: Old Spanish (around the 10th-12th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'vives' means 'reside' or 'lead a life'?
You can usually tell by the words around it. If it follows 'dónde' (where) or is followed by a place (en España), it means 'reside.' If it's followed by an adverb like 'bien' (well) or 'mal' (badly), it refers to the quality of life you lead.
Is 'vives' formal or informal?
'Vives' is strictly informal because it is the 'tú' form. You should only use it with friends, family, children, or people you know well. For formal situations, use 'vive' (the 'usted' form).