vivo
/bee-boh/
I live
The verb form 'vivo' means 'I live' (reside).
vivo(Verb)
I live
?Stating where you reside
I am living
?Describing a current state or experience
📝 In Action
Vivo en Madrid con mi familia.
A1I live in Madrid with my family.
Vivo una vida muy tranquila.
A2I live a very calm life.
💡 Grammar Points
'vivo' is from 'vivir'
When you see 'vivo', it's the 'I' form of the verb 'vivir' (to live). For example, 'Yo vivo en México' means 'I live in Mexico'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with the adjective
Mistake: "Yo soy vivo en Argentina."
Correction: Yo vivo en Argentina. To say where you live, just use 'vivo'. The other meaning of 'vivo' is 'alive', which is a description.
⭐ Usage Tips
More than just a location
You can also use 'vivo' to talk about how you live your life. For instance, 'Vivo sin preocupaciones' means 'I live without worries'.
As an adjective, 'vivo' means 'alive' or 'living'.
📝 In Action
El pez que pescamos todavía está vivo.
A2The fish we caught is still alive.
¿Es una flor de plástico o es una planta viva?
B1Is it a plastic flower or a living plant?
💡 Grammar Points
Matches the Noun's Gender
Like most describing words in Spanish, 'vivo' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'vivo' for masculine things ('el pez vivo') and 'viva' for feminine things ('la planta viva').
Use with 'Estar', not 'Ser'
To say something is alive, you'll almost always use the verb 'estar' (e.g., 'El perro está vivo'). This is because being alive is a state or condition, which is what 'estar' is for.
'Vivo' can describe colors as 'bright' or 'vivid'.
📝 In Action
Pintó la pared de un color amarillo vivo.
B1She painted the wall a bright yellow color.
Sus ojos tienen un azul muy vivo.
B2Her eyes are a very vivid blue.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement
When describing a color, 'vivo' usually comes after the color itself. For example, 'rojo vivo' (bright red) or 'verde vivo' (bright green).
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Full of Life'
A good way to remember this meaning is to think of a 'vivo' color as being 'full of life' and energy, just like a living person.
When describing a person, 'vivo' means 'lively,' 'sharp,' or 'clever.'
vivo(Adjective)
lively
?Describing a person's energy
sharp
?Intelligent, quick-witted
,clever
?Can have a slightly negative sense of being sly or cunning
📝 In Action
Es una niña muy viva, siempre está haciendo preguntas.
B1She's a very sharp/lively girl, she's always asking questions.
Tienes que ser muy vivo para tener éxito en este negocio.
B2You have to be very clever to succeed in this business.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with 'Ser'
When describing personality traits like being sharp or clever, you use the verb 'ser' (e.g., 'Ella es muy viva'). This is because you're talking about a more permanent characteristic.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This word can be a compliment (meaning 'sharp') or a slight criticism (meaning 'cunning' or 'crafty'). Pay attention to the tone and situation to understand the exact meaning.
The phrase 'en vivo' means 'live' (as in a broadcast or performance happening in real-time).
📝 In Action
El concierto será transmitido en vivo por televisión.
B1The concert will be broadcast live on television.
Prefiero la música en vivo a los discos.
A2I prefer live music to records.
💡 Grammar Points
The Magic Phrase: 'en vivo'
This meaning is almost always used in the phrase 'en vivo'. It acts as a single unit to mean 'live'. Unlike other adjectives, it doesn't usually change for gender or number here.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vivo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'vivo' to mean 'I live'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'vivo' and 'vivir'?
'Vivir' is the basic, unconjugated form of the verb, meaning 'to live'. 'Vivo' is the version you use when you want to say 'I live'. Think of it like the difference between 'to eat' (comer) and 'I eat' (como).
How do I say 'live music'?
You say 'música en vivo'. The phrase 'en vivo' is the key here for anything that is happening live, like a concert, a sports game, or a news report.
Why does 'El gato está vivo' use 'está' but 'El niño es vivo' use 'es'?
Great question! This shows the difference between 'ser' and 'estar'. We use 'estar' for temporary states or conditions, like being alive ('está vivo'). We use 'ser' for more permanent characteristics or personality traits, like being clever or sharp ('es vivo').