Inklingo

How to Say "surviving" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sobrevivido

/so-breh-vee-vee-doh//so.βɾe.βiˈβi.ðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'sobrevivido' to describe a specific person or thing that has survived a particular event or situation, often implying a unique or singular instance.
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).

sobrevivientes

/so-bre-bee-BYEN-tes//soβreβiˈβjentes/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'sobrevivientes' to refer to multiple people or things that are still in existence or have survived, often in a more general or plural context.
A single green sprout growing through a crack in a dry stone path.

Examples

Estas son las únicas especies sobrevivientes de la isla.

These are the only surviving species on the island.

Placement

As a describing word, it usually comes after the thing you are describing.

Singular vs. Plural Usage

The most common mistake is using 'sobrevivido' when referring to multiple survivors. Remember that 'sobrevivido' is singular (one survivor), while 'sobrevivientes' is plural (multiple survivors). Check if you are talking about one or more people/things.

Related Translations

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