Meaning · adjective
alive, live
- brisk, animate, vivacious
- vivid, intense, brilliant
In a sentence
Il pesce è ancora vivo, guarda bene.
The fish is still alive, look closely.
Che colore vivo hai scelto per la stanza?
What vivid color did you choose for the room?
I suoi nonni sono entrambi ancora vivi.
Her grandparents are both still alive.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| vivo | masculine · singular |
| viva | feminine · singular |
| vivi | masculine · plural |
| vive | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'vivo' for 'alive' in most cases; 'vivente' is rare and formal (e.g., 'essere vivente').
- Agrees in gender/number: 'vivo' (m.s.), 'viva' (f.s.), 'vivi' (m.pl.), 'vive' (f.pl.).
- In 'essere vivo,' use 'essere' as auxiliary, not 'avere' (e.g., 'Sono vivo!').
Meaning · noun
living person; core, quick
- living person (usually plural)
- heart, core, quick (of something)
In a sentence
Non c'è un vivo in strada a quest'ora.
There isn't a soul on the street at this hour.
La sua critica lo ha colpito sul vivo.
His criticism touched him to the quick.
La cerimonia ricordava sia i vivi che i morti.
The ceremony commemorated both the living and the dead.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| vivo | masculine · singular |
| vivi | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Usually appears in fixed expressions, not as a common standalone noun in everyday speech.
- Don't confuse noun vivo with the adjective vivo ('alive, lively') or the adverb phrase dal vivo ('live, in person').
- For 'a living person,' Italian often prefers persona viva or essere umano, depending on context.
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