vivir
/bee-BEER/
to live
Vivir (to live) means to be alive and exist.
📝 In Action
Mi abuela vivió noventa y ocho años.
A2My grandmother lived for ninety-eight years.
Los peces viven en el agua.
A1Fish live in water.
¡Vive y deja vivir!
B1Live and let live!
💡 Grammar Points
A Regular -ir Verb
Good news! 'Vivir' follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ir. Once you learn the endings for one, you know them for 'vivir' too.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About Lifespan
This is the meaning you use to talk about how long a person, animal, or even a civilization existed. For example, 'Los romanos vivieron por muchos siglos' (The Romans lived for many centuries).
The verb vivir (to live) is the most common way to say where you reside.
vivir(Verb)
to live
?to reside in a place
to dwell
?more formal, to inhabit
,to reside
?formal, official
📝 In Action
¿Dónde vives?
A1Where do you live?
Vivo en un apartamento en el centro de la ciudad.
A1I live in an apartment in the city center.
Mis padres viven con mi hermano.
A2My parents live with my brother.
💡 Grammar Points
Use 'en' for Location
To say where you live, always use the word 'en' after 'vivir'. For example, 'Vivo en México' (I live in Mexico).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Vivir' vs. 'Estar'
Mistake: "Estoy en España. (When you mean you live there permanently)"
Correction: Use 'vivir' for your permanent home: 'Vivo en España.' Use 'estar' for temporary location: 'Ahora estoy en España de vacaciones' (Right now I'm in Spain on vacation).
⭐ Usage Tips
The Go-To Verb for 'Where do you live?'
While there are other words like 'residir', 99% of the time in normal conversation, you'll use 'vivir' to ask and answer where someone's home is.
In this context, vivir (to experience) means to go through a moment or event.
vivir(Verb)
to experience
?to go through something
to live through
?to endure or undergo an event
📝 In Action
He vivido momentos muy felices aquí.
B1I have experienced very happy moments here.
Es una experiencia que todos deberían vivir.
B2It's an experience that everyone should have.
Nuestros abuelos vivieron una guerra.
B2Our grandparents lived through a war.
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just Existing
This use of 'vivir' is about the quality and content of life, not just the fact of being alive. It's about the situations, emotions, and events you go through.
Vivir de (to live off of) is used when discussing how someone supports themselves financially.
vivir(Verb)
to live on / off
?to support oneself with something
to make a living from
?professionally
📝 In Action
Ella vive de la pintura.
B1She makes a living from painting.
No se puede vivir solo de amor.
B1You can't live on love alone.
Mucha gente en esta zona vive del turismo.
B2A lot of people in this area live off tourism.
💡 Grammar Points
Structure: 'vivir de...'
This meaning almost always uses the word 'de' right after it. 'Vivir de' means 'to live off of' something, like a job, a skill, or a resource.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vivir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'vivir' to mean 'to make a living'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'vivir en' and 'estar en'?
Use 'vivir en' for your permanent home or residence ('Vivo en Londres'). Use 'estar en' for your temporary location right now ('Estoy en la oficina', 'Estoy en París de vacaciones'). 'Vivir' is about where your life is based, while 'estar' is about where your body is at the moment.
How do I use '¡Viva!' in expressions?
¡Viva! is a special form of 'vivir' used for cheering. It means 'Long live...!' or 'Hooray for...!'. You'll often hear it in celebrations, like '¡Viva México!' on Independence Day, or '¡Vivan los novios!' (Long live the bride and groom!) at a wedding.