Vivir: to live
Pronunciation: bee-BEER (stress the capital letters)
Vivir means “to live” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to live
- How to say it: bee-BEER
- Present: yo vivo, tú vives
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “vivir” means and how to use it
Vivir means “to live,” both for where you live and for being alive.
How to conjugate “vivir”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | vivo | I |
| tú | vives | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | vive | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | vivimos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | viven | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo viví, él vivió | I / he or she |
| Past participle | vivido | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Vivo en una ciudad pequeña.I live in a small city.
- ¿Dónde vives?Where do you live?
- Mis abuelos viven cerca del mar.My grandparents live near the sea.
Usage tip
Use “vivir en” for a place: vivo en Medellín. Do not confuse it with “vivir de,” which means to live off something (vivir de su trabajo).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to live” in Spanish?
“to live” in Spanish is “vivir.” It is pronounced bee-BEER, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “vivir”?
Say bee-BEER. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “vivir”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “viví” and “él” is “vivió.” The past participle is “vivido.”
Practice “vivir” for free
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