Inklingo

How to Say "life-giving" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “life-giving” is “vital” — use 'vital' when referring to something that is essential for or provides life, often in a more abstract or general sense than 'vitales'. It emphasizes the fundamental importance of something to life..

English → Spanish

vital

/vee-TAHL//biˈtal/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'vital' when referring to something that is essential for or provides life, often in a more abstract or general sense than 'vitales'. It emphasizes the fundamental importance of something to life.
A simple, bright red heart glows gently, depicted with soft pulse lines around it, symbolizing life.

Examples

El agua es un elemento vital para la supervivencia.

Water is a life-giving element for survival.

La enfermera revisó los signos vitales del paciente.

The nurse checked the patient's vital signs.

El corazón cumple una función vital en el cuerpo humano.

The heart fulfills a vital function in the human body.

Context Clues

When 'vital' is used with medical or biological words (like 'signos' or 'funciones'), it usually refers to the actual processes needed for living, not just abstract importance.

vitales

/bee-TAH-lehs//biˈtales/

adjectiveB1medical/biological
Use 'vitales' specifically when referring to the signs or functions directly related to biological life, such as bodily functions or health indicators.
A single, bright green seedling sprouting from a small mound of rich brown soil with a single drop of water falling towards it.

Examples

Los paramédicos estabilizaron sus signos vitales.

The paramedics stabilized their vital signs.

Los médicos revisaron sus constantes vitales.

The doctors checked their vital signs.

Estos cambios son vitales para el futuro de la empresa.

These changes are essential for the future of the company.

One Form for All

This word is a 'gender-neutral' adjective. It doesn't matter if you are describing men, women, or objects; it stays 'vitales' for all plural things.

Making it Plural

Since the singular word 'vital' ends in a consonant (l), we add '-es' to make it plural: vital → vitales.

Don't change the ending for gender

Mistake: “órganos vitalos”

Correction: órganos vitales. Even though 'órganos' is masculine, 'vitales' doesn't end in 'o' or 'a', so it doesn't change for gender.

Vital vs. Vitales

Learners often confuse 'vital' and 'vitales' because they both relate to life. Remember that 'vitales' is almost always used in the plural and specifically refers to measurable bodily functions or signs, while 'vital' is more broadly applicable to anything essential for life.

Related Translations

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