Inklingo

How to Say "surviving" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sobrevivido

so-breh-vee-vee-dohso.βɾe.βiˈβi.ðo

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'sobrevivido' to describe a person or thing that has successfully endured a dangerous event or hardship, often implying a past struggle.
A single, vibrant green sapling pushes up and grows strongly through a large crack in dry, brown, desolate earth, illustrating resilience and continued existence.

Examples

El único miembro sobrevivido de la tripulación fue el capitán.

The only surviving member of the crew was the captain.

Los documentos sobrevividos del incendio son invaluables.

The documents surviving the fire are invaluable.

Adjective Agreement

When sobrevivido is used as an adjective, it must match the thing it describes in gender and number: 'la mujer sobrevivida' (the surviving woman), 'los niños sobrevividos' (the surviving children).

sobreviviente

so-bre-bee-BYEN-tesobɾebiˈbjente

AdjectiveB2General
Choose 'sobreviviente' when referring to someone or something that is still alive or exists, particularly when emphasizing their continued existence over time.
A small green plant growing out of a crack in a stone wall.

Examples

No quedan miembros sobrevivientes de esa antigua tribu.

There are no surviving members of that ancient tribe.

Las especies sobrevivientes tuvieron que adaptarse al clima.

The surviving species had to adapt to the climate.

Es el último pariente sobreviviente de la familia real.

He is the last surviving relative of the royal family.

Adjective Placement

Just like most Spanish adjectives, 'sobreviviente' usually comes AFTER the noun it describes, like 'familia sobreviviente' (surviving family).

Don't confuse with 'Surviving' as an action

Mistake: “Estoy sobreviviente el calor.”

Correction: Estoy sobreviviendo al calor. Use the -iendo form (the gerund) when talking about an action currently happening.

superviviente

soo-pehr-bee-BYEHN-tehsupeɾbiˈβjente

AdjectiveB2General
Employ 'superviviente' when the focus is on the persistence and continued existence of something, especially in the face of challenges or rarity.
A small green sprout growing out of a cracked, dry desert ground.

Examples

No quedan muchos ejemplares supervivientes de este libro.

There aren't many surviving copies of this book.

Las empresas supervivientes a la crisis tuvieron que innovar.

The companies surviving the crisis had to innovate.

Esta es la última especie superviviente de su género.

This is the last surviving species of its genus.

Placement

As an adjective, it usually goes after the noun it describes, like 'la familia superviviente'.

Choosing Between 'Sobrevivido' and 'Sobreviviente'

The most common confusion is between 'sobrevivido' and 'sobreviviente'. While both mean 'surviving', 'sobrevivido' often implies a more direct or recent survival from a specific event, whereas 'sobreviviente' can refer to a more general state of being alive or existing.

Related Translations

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