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B1 verb 17 min de lecture

sobrevivir

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces sobrevivir en 30 secondes

Explication sobrevivir in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to understand the most basic meaning of sobrevivir: to stay alive. You might encounter it in simple stories or very basic news clips. For an A1 learner, the focus should be on recognizing the word and perhaps using it in very simple present tense sentences. For example, 'Yo sobrevivo' (I survive) or 'Los animales sobreviven' (The animals survive). At this stage, don't worry too much about complex prepositions or metaphorical uses. Just remember that it is related to the word vivir (to live), but with the prefix sobre- (over). Think of it as 'living through' something. You might see it on signs or in very simple warnings about nature. It's a useful word to know because it looks like the English word 'survive,' which makes it easy to remember. Focus on the connection: sobre + vivir = to live over/after a problem. This basic understanding will serve as the foundation for more complex uses later on. You should also recognize the noun supervivencia if you see it, as it is often used in the context of 'survival kits' or basic safety instructions. Keep your sentences short and direct, and don't be afraid to use it in its most literal sense.

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At the A2 level, you can start to use sobrevivir in a few more contexts, particularly in the past tense. Since survival is often something that has already happened, the preterite tense is very useful. You should practice saying things like 'Él sobrevivió' (He survived). You will also start to notice that we often use the preposition a when we survive something. For example, 'Sobrevivió a un accidente.' Even if you forget the 'a' sometimes, native speakers will understand you, but trying to include it will make your Spanish sound much better. You can also use it to talk about basic needs: 'Sobrevivimos con poca comida' (We survive with little food). This shows you are starting to understand how the verb interacts with other words like con (with) or sin (without). You might also hear this word in basic weather reports or simple documentaries about animals. The key for A2 is moving from just recognizing the word to using it in simple, complete sentences that describe a situation. Try to use it to describe a difficult day at school or work in a hyperbolic way: '¡Sobreviví al lunes!' (I survived Monday!). This is a great way to practice the verb in a low-stakes, conversational way that sounds very natural.

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At the B1 level, which is where sobrevivir is officially categorized, you are expected to use the word with more precision and in a wider range of contexts. You should be comfortable using the preposition a correctly almost every time: 'sobrevivir al invierno,' 'sobrevivir a la crisis,' 'sobrevivir a un ataque.' You should also understand the metaphorical uses of the word, such as surviving an economic crisis or a difficult social situation. At this level, you should also be aware of the noun supervivencia (survival) and the adjective/noun superviviente (survivor). You will likely encounter these in news articles, intermediate-level books, and podcasts. You should be able to conjugate the verb in various tenses, including the future and the conditional, to discuss hypothetical survival scenarios. For example, '¿Cómo sobrevivirías en una isla desierta?' (How would you survive on a desert island?). B1 learners should also start to distinguish between sobrevivir and other similar verbs like aguantar or resistir. You are moving beyond the literal 'not dying' and into the realm of resilience and endurance. This is also the stage where you should start paying attention to the 'outliving' meaning: 'Sobrevivió a sus padres por muchos años.' Practice using the verb in your writing and speaking to describe both personal challenges and world events.

At the B2 level, your use of sobrevivir should be fluid and nuanced. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as those requiring the subjunctive: 'Dudo que esa empresa sobreviva al año que viene' (I doubt that company will survive next year). You should also be familiar with more sophisticated synonyms like subsistir or pervivir and know when to choose them over sobrevivir for a more formal or precise tone. B2 learners should be able to handle the word in professional or academic contexts, such as discussing the survival of a political movement or a cultural tradition. You should also be comfortable with the gerund form used with auxiliary verbs, like 'ir sobreviviendo' to describe a state of barely getting by. Your understanding of the word should include its historical and cultural weight—for example, how a language 'sobrevive' despite external pressures. You can also use the word in more abstract ways, such as 'sobrevivir a la propia fama' (surviving one's own fame). At this level, you should not only use the word correctly but also understand the subtle emotional or social implications it carries in different Spanish-speaking regions. You might also start to use it in more complex idiomatic ways and recognize it in literature where it might be used to explore themes of existence and mortality.

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At the C1 level, sobrevivir becomes a tool for sophisticated expression. You should be able to discuss the philosophical implications of survival, such as the survival of the soul or the survival of ideas through history. Your use of the verb and its derivatives (supervivencia, superviviente, supervivencial) should be flawless across all registers. You should be able to appreciate and use the verb in literary contexts where it might be used as a metaphor for the human condition. For example, 'El arte es lo único que sobrevive a la muerte.' You should also be able to navigate technical or legal documents where sobrevivir is used to define inheritance rights or the duration of contracts. At this stage, you should be able to analyze how the word is used in different media to frame narratives—how a 'superviviente' is portrayed in the news versus a 'víctima.' You can use the verb to express deep irony or cynicism: 'En este sistema, no se vive, se sobrevive.' Your vocabulary should include related terms like pervivencia (persistence) and you should be able to explain the subtle differences between them. C1 learners should also be able to use the verb in complex rhetorical structures, making it a key part of their persuasive and descriptive toolkit. You are no longer just learning the word; you are mastering its power to describe the most profound aspects of life and time.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of sobrevivir and all its nuances. You can use it with the precision of a native-speaking writer or academic. You understand the deep etymological roots of the word and how it has evolved in the Spanish language. You can use it in highly abstract or poetic ways, such as 'sobrevivirse a uno mismo' (to outlive oneself/one's identity). Your ability to use the word extends to the most formal legal, philosophical, and scientific contexts. You can discuss 'la supervivencia de las especies' with the same ease as 'la pervivencia de los mitos clásicos.' You are aware of the rarest uses of the verb and its derivatives, and you can spot when a writer uses the word to evoke a specific historical or literary tradition. For a C2 learner, sobrevivir is not just a verb; it is a concept that you can manipulate to create complex meanings. You can use it to critique social structures, explore psychological resilience, or describe the physical laws of the universe. Your use of prepositions, tenses, and moods is perfectly aligned with the most sophisticated standards of the Spanish language. You can also engage in high-level debates about the ethics of survival or the representation of survivors in culture. At this level, the word is a fully integrated part of your intellectual and expressive repertoire, allowing you to communicate the most complex ideas with clarity and elegance.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

sobrevivir en 30 secondes

Sobrevivir means to remain alive after a threat or difficult situation. It is a regular -ir verb in Spanish.
It requires the preposition 'a' when followed by the event survived, such as 'sobrevivir al fuego'.
Beyond physical life, it describes economic endurance, cultural persistence, and outliving another person.
Commonly confused with 'vivir', it specifically implies overcoming a specific danger or hardship.

The Spanish verb sobrevivir is a powerful and multifaceted term that translates most directly to the English 'to survive.' At its most fundamental level, it describes the act of remaining alive after a life-threatening event, a dangerous situation, or a period of extreme hardship. However, its usage extends far beyond mere physical existence. In Spanish, sobrevivir captures the essence of endurance, resilience, and the continuation of existence against the odds, whether those odds are biological, financial, emotional, or historical. It is a third-conjugation verb (ending in -ir) and follows a regular conjugation pattern, making it relatively straightforward for learners to master once they understand its prepositional requirements.

Physical Survival: This is the primary usage, referring to staying alive after an accident, a natural disaster, or a war. It implies that death was a likely outcome, but the subject managed to persist.
Economic Survival: In a metaphorical sense, it is used to describe getting by on very little money or maintaining a business during a recession. It suggests a struggle to meet basic needs.
Emotional and Social Survival: One can survive a heartbreak, a boring meeting, or a difficult social situation. Here, the 'threat' is not to life, but to one's patience, sanity, or happiness.

Es un milagro que el alpinista lograra sobrevivir a la tormenta de nieve sin equipo adecuado.

When using sobrevivir, it is crucial to note that it is often an intransitive verb, but when it takes an object (the thing survived), it almost always requires the preposition a. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to saying 'survive the accident' (direct object). In Spanish, you must say 'sobrevivir al (a + el) accidente.' This prepositional link bridges the survivor to the ordeal they have overcome. Furthermore, the word carries a weight of triumph. To survive is not just to exist, but to have faced a challenge and emerged on the other side. This nuance makes it a favorite in literature, news reporting, and motivational speaking.

Muchas pequeñas empresas luchan por sobrevivir en el mercado actual tan competitivo.

In historical contexts, sobrevivir is used to discuss legacies and traditions. A language might survive through centuries of colonization, or a custom might survive despite modernization. This temporal aspect adds a layer of 'persistence over time.' In daily conversation, you might hear people use it hyperbolically: 'No sé cómo voy a sobrevivir a esta semana de exámenes' (I don't know how I'm going to survive this exam week). This dramatic use is very common and mirrors English usage perfectly. Whether the context is a literal plane crash or a figurative long day at work, sobrevivir remains the go-to verb for indicating that one has made it through to the end.

A pesar de los cambios tecnológicos, el libro impreso ha logrado sobrevivir.

Colloquial Usage: In some regions, 'ir sobreviviendo' means 'just getting by' or 'hanging in there' when someone asks how you are doing.

¿Cómo estás? —Pues aquí, sobreviviendo, que no es poco.

Las tradiciones antiguas sobreviven en las zonas rurales del país.

Ultimately, sobrevivir is a word of endurance. It covers everything from the biological instinct to stay alive to the cultural effort to preserve identity. Understanding its range allows a learner to express resilience in various domains of life, making it an essential part of the B1 vocabulary repertoire. It’s not just about not dying; it’s about continuing to be in spite of everything that tried to stop you.

Using sobrevivir correctly involves mastering its conjugation and, more importantly, its syntax. As a regular -ir verb, it follows the same pattern as vivir, escribir, or abrir. However, the grammatical structure it demands is where many students trip up. The most important rule to memorize is that sobrevivir usually requires the preposition a when followed by the cause of the danger or the person outlived. This is known as a 'complemento de régimen preposicional.' Without this 'a,' the sentence often feels incomplete or grammatically incorrect to a native speaker.

The Preposition 'A': Whenever you survive 'something' (an event, a disaster, a person), you must use 'a'. Example: 'Sobrevivió a la inundación'. If the object is masculine singular, it becomes 'al'. Example: 'Sobrevivió al naufragio'.
Absolute Use: The verb can be used alone when the context is clear. 'Fue un accidente terrible, pero ella logró sobrevivir'. No object is needed here because the survival itself is the focus.
Survival Means/Manner: To describe 'how' or 'on what' one survives, use 'de' or 'con'. 'Sobreviven de la pesca' (They survive on fishing). 'Sobrevivimos con muy poco dinero' (We survive with very little money).

El paciente tuvo que sobrevivir a una cirugía de diez horas.

In terms of tenses, sobrevivir is frequently used in the preterite (sobrevivió) because survival is often viewed as a completed event in the past. However, the present tense is used for ongoing struggles or general truths about species. 'Los camellos sobreviven en el desierto gracias a sus jorobas.' The future and conditional tenses are common in speculative scenarios or threats: '¿Crees que sobreviviríamos a un apocalipsis zombi?' (Do you think we would survive a zombie apocalypse?). The subjunctive is also vital when expressing doubt or hope: 'Espero que todos sobrevivan a esta crisis económica.'

Ningún rastro de la civilización logró sobrevivir al paso de los siglos.

Another interesting use is the concept of 'outliving' someone. In English, we say 'She survived her husband.' In Spanish, this is 'Ella sobrevivió a su marido.' This use is very common in biographies and legal documents regarding inheritance. It implies that the subject remained alive after the death of another person. It can also be used for objects outlasting their creators: 'Su obra de arte sobrevivió al artista.' This highlights the enduring nature of the work compared to the ephemeral nature of human life.

Es difícil sobrevivir sin conexión a internet en el mundo moderno.

When talking about plants or animals, sobrevivir is used to describe biological adaptation. 'Esta planta puede sobrevivir con muy poca agua.' Here, 'con' indicates the condition of survival. If you want to say 'survive in a place,' you use 'en': 'Sobrevivir en la selva.' The choice of preposition significantly changes the meaning of the sentence, so pay close attention to whether you are describing the threat (a), the means (de/con), or the location (en).

¿Cómo pudiste sobrevivir a aquel viaje tan largo y agotador?

Common Structures: 1. Sobrevivir a (algo/alguien). 2. Sobrevivir de (una fuente). 3. Sobrevivir en (un lugar). 4. Sobrevivir con (pocos recursos).

El instinto de sobrevivir es el más fuerte de todos los instintos humanos.

In summary, sobrevivir is a versatile verb that demands precision with prepositions. Whether you are talking about a historic battle, a biological trait, or just making it through a tough day, ensure you connect the verb to its context using the correct small words. Practice conjugating it in the preterite, as that is its most common habitat in storytelling and news.

You will encounter sobrevivir in a wide variety of real-world contexts, ranging from the most dramatic news headlines to the most mundane office complaints. Its frequency in the Spanish language is high because it touches on the fundamental human experience of overcoming obstacles. If you watch the news in Spanish, you will hear it almost daily. Reporters use it to describe the aftermath of natural disasters: 'Tres personas lograron sobrevivir al terremoto.' It is also a staple in medical reporting, where doctors discuss a patient's chances of 'sobrevivir a la operación.' In these contexts, the word carries a clinical and serious tone.

News and Media: Reporting on accidents, wars, and disasters. It is used to quantify the survivors ('los que sobrevivieron') and describe the conditions they endured.
Nature Documentaries: Narrators often use it to explain how animals adapt to harsh environments. 'El pingüino debe sobrevivir al invierno antártico'.
Entertainment: Reality shows like 'Supervivientes' (the Spanish version of 'Survivor') have made the word and its derivatives household names. It's about 'sobrevivir' on a deserted island.

En el documental, explicaron cómo las especies logran sobrevivir en condiciones extremas.

In the business world, sobrevivir is used to describe corporate endurance. During economic downturns, you'll hear CEOs and analysts talk about 'estrategias para sobrevivir a la crisis.' This usage highlights the competitive and sometimes hostile nature of the market. Similarly, in politics, a leader might 'sobrevivir a un escándalo' (survive a scandal), meaning they managed to keep their position despite negative publicity. This figurative use is very common in newspapers and political talk shows. It suggests that the person’s career was in danger, but they were resilient enough to remain in power.

Muchos negocios locales no pudieron sobrevivir al cierre prolongado durante la pandemia.

In casual, everyday Spanish, the word is often used for comedic or dramatic effect. If a student has a very long list of chores or a difficult exam, they might say: 'Si logro sobrevivir a este lunes, el resto de la semana será fácil.' This hyperbolic usage is part of the 'drama' inherent in many Spanish-speaking cultures, where feelings and situations are often expressed with intensity. You might also hear it in the context of technology: 'Mi viejo teléfono apenas sobrevive; la batería no dura nada.' Here, it personifies the object, suggesting it is on its last legs.

No sé cómo vas a sobrevivir a ese jefe tan exigente que tienes.

Furthermore, history books are filled with the verb sobrevivir. It is used to describe how certain manuscripts, buildings, or traditions have reached the present day. 'Este castillo sobrevivió a varios asedios y terremotos.' This gives the word a sense of nobility and historical weight. When you hear it in a museum or a history lecture, it refers to the physical or cultural preservation of the past against the destructive forces of time and war. It’s a word that connects the past to the present by highlighting what was strong enough to endure.

Afortunadamente, el manuscrito original sobrevivió al incendio de la biblioteca.

Common Contexts: 1. Natural disasters. 2. Medical emergencies. 3. Economic crises. 4. Historical preservation. 5. Daily stress (hyperbole).

¿Cómo sobrevive esa planta en un rincón tan oscuro de la casa?

In conclusion, sobrevivir is everywhere. From the serious news anchor discussing a tragedy to the friend complaining about a boring party, the word is a versatile tool for describing endurance. Pay attention to how the tone changes based on the context, but the core meaning of 'persisting despite difficulty' remains constant across all situations.

Learning to use sobrevivir correctly involves avoiding several common pitfalls that even intermediate learners frequently encounter. The most pervasive mistake is the omission of the preposition a. Because the English 'survive' is transitive (you survive something), English speakers often say 'sobrevivir el accidente.' In Spanish, this sounds incomplete. It must be 'sobrevivir al accidente.' This 'a' is non-negotiable when referring to the event or person that was outlived. Thinking of it as 'surviving to the event' might help you remember this grammatical requirement.

Mistake #1: Omitting 'A': Incorrect: 'Él sobrevivió el terremoto.' Correct: 'Él sobrevivió al terremoto.' Always use 'a' before the ordeal.
Mistake #2: Confusion with 'Vivir': Sometimes learners use 'vivir' when they mean 'sobrevivir.' While 'vivir' means to live, 'sobrevivir' specifically implies overcoming a threat. You don't 'survive' in a house; you 'live' in a house, unless the house is a dangerous environment.
Mistake #3: Preposition 'De' vs 'A': Learners often confuse 'sobrevivir a' (survive an event) with 'sobrevivir de' (survive on something). Use 'de' for resources like food or money: 'Sobrevive de pan y agua.'

Mucha gente comete el error de decir 'sobrevivir la crisis' en lugar de 'sobrevivir a la crisis'.

Another common error involves the conjugation of the gerund. Since it is an -ir verb, the gerund is sobreviviendo. Some students mistakenly use sobreviviendo but forget that the stem doesn't change (it's not 'sobrevivyendo'). Also, be careful with the spelling of the noun form: supervivencia. Notice that the prefix changes from sobre- to super-. This is a historical linguistic quirk; 'sobrevivir' is the verb, but 'supervivencia' is the noun. Saying 'sobrevivencia' is a very common mistake for both learners and even some native speakers, but 'supervivencia' is the standard form accepted by the RAE.

Es un error común usar 'sobrevivir' cuando simplemente se quiere decir 'vivir' en condiciones difíciles.

In terms of register, using sobrevivir when a more specific verb is available can make your Spanish sound repetitive. For example, if you are talking about a business, subsistir or mantenerse might be more precise. If you are talking about a person getting through a difficult emotional time, salir adelante (to move forward) is often more natural. While sobrevivir is never 'wrong' in these contexts, overusing it can make your speech sound a bit dramatic or limited. However, at the B1 level, focusing on the 'a' preposition and the 'supervivencia' noun spelling will cover 90% of the common errors.

Recuerda: se sobrevive 'a' una tragedia, no se 'sobrevive' la tragedia directamente.

Finally, watch out for the 'outliving' context. If you say 'Él sobrevivió su padre,' it sounds like he survived his father's attack. If you mean he lived longer than his father, you must say 'Él sobrevivió a su padre.' The 'a' acts as the personal 'a' but also as the required preposition for the verb. This distinction is subtle but important for clear communication. In legal or genealogical contexts, being precise with this 'a' is essential to avoid ambiguity about who is still alive and who is not.

No confundas 'sobrevivir' con 'perdurar'; el segundo se usa más para cosas abstractas como el arte.

Spelling Alert: Verb: Sobrevivir. Noun: Supervivencia. Survivor: Superviviente. Note the change from 'sobre-' to 'super-' in the noun and adjective forms.

Asegúrate de conjugar bien el pretérito: yo sobreviví, tú sobreviviste, él sobrevivió.

By keeping these points in mind—especially the 'a' preposition and the 'super-' prefix in derivatives—you will use sobrevivir with the same accuracy as a native speaker. It is a word that requires attention to detail, but mastering it significantly enriches your ability to talk about resilience and life stories.

While sobrevivir is the most common way to express the idea of remaining alive, Spanish offers a rich variety of synonyms and related terms that can add precision and flavor to your descriptions. Depending on whether you are talking about biological life, a business staying afloat, or a tradition lasting through time, you might choose a different word. Understanding these nuances is key to moving from B1 to B2 and C1 levels of proficiency. Each of these alternatives carries a slightly different 'flavor' or register, and knowing when to use which will make your Spanish sound much more natural.

Subsistir: This verb often refers to staying alive or maintained with the bare minimum of resources. It is very common in economic contexts: 'Subsisten con el salario mínimo'. It feels a bit more formal and technical than 'sobrevivir'.
Perdurar: Used primarily for abstract things like memories, traditions, or legacies. It means 'to endure' or 'to last a long time'. You wouldn't say a person 'perdura' after a crash, but their 'memoria' might.
Prevalecer: This means 'to prevail' or 'to triumph'. It implies not just surviving, but coming out on top or being the dominant force that remains. 'La verdad prevalecerá'.
Salir adelante: A very common idiomatic expression meaning 'to get through' or 'to pull through' a difficult situation. It focuses on the effort and the positive outcome of moving forward after a struggle.

A veces, para sobrevivir, uno simplemente tiene que aprender a subsistir con lo básico.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter pervivir. This is very similar to sobrevivir but is almost exclusively used for things like customs, ideas, or feelings that continue to exist despite the passage of time. 'La influencia romana pervive en nuestras leyes.' Another interesting alternative is resistir (to resist/endure). While sobrevivir is the result (you are still here), resistir focuses on the action of fighting against the force that is trying to destroy you. 'Resistieron el ataque' means they fought back, while 'Sobrevivieron al ataque' means they were still alive after it was over.

Es admirable cómo lograste salir adelante después de perder tu empleo.

If you are talking about someone outliving another person, you can also use the phrase vivir más que. 'Ella vivió más que su hermano.' This is simpler and more direct than 'Ella sobrevivió a su hermano.' In the context of objects or structures, mantenerse en pie (to stay standing) is a great alternative. 'A pesar del terremoto, la catedral se mantuvo en pie.' This creates a more visual image than just saying the building 'sobrevivió.' Using these varied expressions will make your descriptions more vivid and precise, showing that you understand the specific nature of the 'survival' you are describing.

Aunque la civilización desapareció, sus mitos lograron pervivir a través de los siglos.

Finally, consider the verb aguantar. This is a very common, slightly more informal word meaning 'to endure' or 'to put up with.' 'No sé cómo aguantas ese frío.' While it doesn't always mean 'to survive' in a life-or-death sense, it is often used for surviving difficult conditions or annoying people. In the phrase 'aguantar el tirón,' it means to survive a particularly difficult period or 'storm.' By building this web of related words, you can choose the one that fits the gravity and the specific circumstances of the situation you are discussing.

El equipo tuvo que resistir la presión del rival para poder ganar el partido.

Quick Comparison Table: - Sobrevivir: Stay alive/exist (General). - Subsistir: Barely survive (Economic). - Perdurar: Last a long time (Abstract). - Salir adelante: Overcome and move on (Idiomatic).

Las empresas que no se adaptan a lo digital rara vez logran perdurar en el tiempo.

Mastering these alternatives allows you to speak about survival with nuance. Whether it is the biological survival of a species, the economic survival of a family, or the cultural survival of a language, choosing the right word shows a deep understanding of the Spanish language's expressive power.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The noun 'supervivencia' keeps the Latin 'super-', while the verb 'sobrevivir' adapted to the Spanish 'sobre-'. This split is common in Spanish words where the verb evolves more than the noun.

Guide de prononciation

UK /so.βɾe.βi.ˈβiɾ/

US /so.βɾe.βi.ˈβiɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: so-bre-vi-VIR.

Rime avec

reír sentir abrir dormir decir venir salir subir

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'v' like an English 'v' (biting the lip). In Spanish, it's bilabial.
Putting the stress on the 'vi' instead of the 'vir'.
Pronouncing the first 'e' as an English 'ee'. It should be like 'e' in 'pet'.
Rolling the 'r' too much; it is a single tap, not a trill.
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'survive'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'survive'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'a' and the -ir conjugation.

Expression orale 3/5

Common in conversation, but stress must be on the final syllable.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation and distinct from other common verbs.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

vivir morir accidente peligro vida

Apprends ensuite

superar aguantar resistir subsistir perdurar

Avancé

pervivencia resiliencia vicisitud inclemencia inmarcesible

Grammaire à connaître

Complemento de régimen

Sobrevivir siempre requiere la preposición 'a' cuando se menciona el evento.

Personal 'a'

Sobrevivió a su abuelo (The 'a' is both the verb's requirement and the personal 'a').

Preterite vs Imperfect

Use preterite for surviving a specific event: 'Sobrevivió al choque'. Use imperfect for a state: 'Sobrevivía como podía'.

Ir + Gerund

‘Va sobreviviendo’ suggests a continuous, gradual effort to stay alive.

Subjunctive with doubt

‘No creo que sobreviva’ requires the subjunctive after 'no creo'.

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Exemples par niveau

Las flores sobreviven con agua.

The flowers survive with water.

Simple present tense with 'con'.

Yo sobrevivo al calor.

I survive the heat.

Use of 'al' (a + el).

Los gatos sobreviven en la calle.

The cats survive in the street.

Use of 'en' for location.

Ella sobrevive sin televisión.

She survives without television.

Use of 'sin' (without).

Nosotros sobrevivimos al invierno.

We survive the winter.

First person plural present tense.

El pez sobrevive en el río.

The fish survives in the river.

Third person singular present tense.

Ustedes sobreviven al examen.

You all survive the exam.

Plural 'you' form.

Él quiere sobrevivir.

He wants to survive.

Infinitive form after 'querer'.

Él sobrevivió al accidente de coche.

He survived the car accident.

Preterite tense, emphasizing a completed action.

Muchos animales sobrevivieron al incendio.

Many animals survived the fire.

Third person plural preterite.

Sobrevivimos a la tormenta anoche.

We survived the storm last night.

Use of 'anoche' to trigger the preterite.

No sé cómo sobreviviste a ese viaje.

I don't know how you survived that trip.

Second person singular preterite.

El perro sobrevivió tres días solo.

The dog survived three days alone.

Absolute use without 'a' because the duration is the focus.

Ellas sobrevivieron con muy poco dinero.

They survived with very little money.

Use of 'con' to indicate means.

Mi abuelo sobrevivió a la guerra.

My grandfather survived the war.

Historical context in preterite.

Logramos sobrevivir a la caminata larga.

We managed to survive the long hike.

Verb 'lograr' followed by infinitive.

Es difícil sobrevivir en esta ciudad con un salario tan bajo.

It is difficult to survive in this city with such a low salary.

Infinitive used as a subject after 'es difícil'.

La empresa lucha por sobrevivir a la crisis económica.

The company fights to survive the economic crisis.

Prepositional phrase 'por sobrevivir'.

Solo los más fuertes sobreviven en la naturaleza.

Only the strongest survive in nature.

General truth in the present tense.

Espero que todos sobrevivan al terremoto.

I hope everyone survives the earthquake.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar'.

Sobrevivió a su marido por más de veinte años.

She outlived her husband by more than twenty years.

Special meaning: to outlive.

Estamos sobreviviendo como podemos.

We are surviving as best we can.

Present continuous with 'como podemos'.

Las tradiciones antiguas sobreviven en los pueblos pequeños.

Ancient traditions survive in small villages.

Metaphorical survival of culture.

Si no comes, no podrás sobrevivir.

If you don't eat, you won't be able to survive.

Future tense in a conditional sentence.

Dudo que el negocio sobreviva a la competencia de las grandes cadenas.

I doubt the business will survive the competition from large chains.

Subjunctive after a verb of doubt.

El náufrago tuvo que sobrevivir de lo que encontraba en la isla.

The castaway had to survive on what he found on the island.

Use of 'de lo que' to indicate resources.

Muchos edificios históricos no sobrevivieron al bombardeo.

Many historic buildings did not survive the bombing.

Negative preterite with 'al'.

Para sobrevivir en política, hay que tener la piel muy gruesa.

To survive in politics, you have to have very thick skin.

Figurative use in a professional context.

Apenas vamos sobreviviendo con los ahorros que nos quedan.

We are barely surviving on the savings we have left.

Periphrasis 'ir + gerund' indicating a gradual state.

Es un milagro que el manuscrito haya sobrevivido al paso del tiempo.

It is a miracle that the manuscript has survived the passage of time.

Present perfect subjunctive after 'es un milagro que'.

La especie ha logrado sobrevivir adaptándose al entorno.

The species has managed to survive by adapting to the environment.

Use of the gerund 'adaptándose' to show manner.

Si hubieras estado allí, no habrías sobrevivido.

If you had been there, you wouldn't have survived.

Conditional perfect in a counterfactual conditional.

La lengua vasca ha sobrevivido a siglos de presiones externas.

The Basque language has survived centuries of external pressure.

Sociolinguistic context with present perfect.

En condiciones de vacío absoluto, ninguna célula puede sobrevivir.

In conditions of absolute vacuum, no cell can survive.

Scientific register.

Su legado literario sobrevivirá a su propia existencia física.

His literary legacy will survive his own physical existence.

Abstract survival in the future tense.

El reto no es solo sobrevivir, sino prosperar a pesar de las adversidades.

The challenge is not just to survive, but to thrive despite adversities.

Contrastive structure 'no solo... sino'.

Resulta fascinante cómo ciertos mitos sobreviven al olvido colectivo.

It is fascinating how certain myths survive collective forgetting.

Psychological/philosophical context.

La democracia debe ser protegida para que sobreviva a los extremismos.

Democracy must be protected so that it survives extremisms.

Subjunctive after 'para que'.

Aquel trauma era algo a lo que pocos podían sobrevivir emocionalmente.

That trauma was something few could survive emotionally.

Relative clause with 'a lo que'.

La obra de Cervantes ha sobrevivido a innumerables traducciones y adaptaciones.

Cervantes' work has survived countless translations and adaptations.

Cultural history context.

El concepto de honor parece no haber sobrevivido a la posmodernidad.

The concept of honor seems not to have survived postmodernity.

Philosophical register with perfect infinitive.

La arquitectura brutalista sobrevive como un recordatorio de una utopía fallida.

Brutalist architecture survives as a reminder of a failed utopia.

Aesthetic and political critique.

Es imperativo cuestionar qué valores sobrevivirán al colapso de las instituciones.

It is imperative to question which values will survive the collapse of institutions.

Indirect question with future tense.

La esencia del ser humano sobrevive incluso en las circunstancias más deshumanizadoras.

The essence of the human being survives even in the most dehumanizing circumstances.

Existentialist theme.

Sobrevivirse a uno mismo es, quizás, la forma más trágica de longevidad.

To outlive oneself is, perhaps, the most tragic form of longevity.

Reflexive use 'sobrevivirse' in a poetic/philosophical sense.

Pocos vestigios de la lengua original lograron sobrevivir a la asimilación cultural.

Few vestiges of the original language managed to survive cultural assimilation.

Academic historical register.

La veracidad de su testimonio no sobrevivió al escrutinio de los peritos.

The truthfulness of his testimony did not survive the experts' scrutiny.

Legal/forensic context.

En la inmensidad del cosmos, la vida parece ser una anomalía que lucha por sobrevivir.

In the immensity of the cosmos, life seems to be an anomaly struggling to survive.

Scientific/philosophical register.

Collocations courantes

sobrevivir al accidente

sobrevivir a la crisis

sobrevivir a duras penas

instinto de sobrevivir

sobrevivir a alguien

sobrevivir en condiciones

luchar por sobrevivir

sobrevivir al invierno

sobrevivir sin nada

lograr sobrevivir

Phrases Courantes

sobrevivir al día a día

— To get through daily life, often implying financial struggle.

Muchos trabajadores solo intentan sobrevivir al día a día.

sobrevivir por los pelos

— To survive by the skin of one's teeth (barely).

Sobrevivieron al naufragio por los pelos.

sobrevivir a la tempestad

— To survive the storm (literal or figurative).

El gobierno espera sobrevivir a la tempestad política.

sobrevivir de milagro

— To survive by a miracle.

Él sobrevivió de milagro a la caída.

sobrevivir a la soledad

— To endure or cope with being alone.

Es difícil sobrevivir a la soledad en una ciudad grande.

sobrevivir al paso del tiempo

— To last through history or aging.

Este edificio ha logrado sobrevivir al paso del tiempo.

sobrevivir con lo puesto

— To survive with only the clothes on one's back.

Después del incendio, tuvieron que sobrevivir con lo puesto.

sobrevivir a cualquier precio

— To survive at any cost.

Estaban dispuestos a sobrevivir a cualquier precio.

sobrevivir en la jungla

— To survive in the jungle (literal or figurative like the city).

Hay que ser listo para sobrevivir en la jungla de asfalto.

sobrevivir al aburrimiento

— To survive boredom (hyperbolic).

No sé cómo voy a sobrevivir al aburrimiento de esta reunión.

Souvent confondu avec

sobrevivir vs vivir

Vivir is general life; sobrevivir is life after a threat.

sobrevivir vs superar

Superar is to overcome an obstacle; sobrevivir is specifically about staying alive.

sobrevivir vs revivir

Revivir is to come back to life; sobrevivir is to not die in the first place.

Expressions idiomatiques

"ir sobreviviendo"

— To be just getting by or hanging in there.

—¿Cómo va todo? —Ahí vamos, ir sobreviviendo.

informal

"sobrevivir al tirón"

— To withstand a difficult period or sudden pressure.

La pequeña tienda logró sobrevivir al tirón de las rebajas.

neutral

"sobrevivir para contarlo"

— To live to tell the tale.

Fue una aventura peligrosa, pero sobreviví para contarlo.

informal

"el arte de sobrevivir"

— The skill or knack for getting through life's problems.

En este barrio, todos conocen el arte de sobrevivir.

literary

"sobrevivir a base de..."

— To survive solely on a specific thing.

Sobrevivieron a base de latas de conserva.

neutral

"sobrevivir a la quema"

— To be the only thing saved or to survive a purge.

De todos los proyectos, solo este sobrevivió a la quema.

informal

"sobrevivir a su tiempo"

— To be ahead of one's time or to last longer than expected.

Esa idea sobrevivió a su tiempo y hoy es muy popular.

neutral

"sobrevivir a las mil maravillas"

— To survive perfectly fine (often ironic).

A pesar de no tener mapa, sobrevivieron a las mil maravillas.

informal

"no sobrevivir ni para remedio"

— To not survive at all; nothing left.

Con esta sequía, no sobrevivió ni una planta para remedio.

informal/regional

"sobrevivir al naufragio"

— To survive a failure or disaster (figurative).

Él fue el único que sobrevivió al naufragio de la coalición.

neutral

Facile à confondre

sobrevivir vs supervivencia

Spelling change from 'sobre-' to 'super-'.

It is the noun form (survival). You cannot use 'sobrevivencia' in standard Spanish.

El kit de supervivencia es necesario.

sobrevivir vs sobreviviente

Alternative to 'superviviente'.

Both are correct, but 'superviviente' is preferred in Spain, while 'sobreviviente' is common in Latin America.

Había diez sobrevivientes en el barco.

sobrevivir vs pervivir

Similar meaning.

Pervivir is for things that last through time (ideas), while sobrevivir is for staying alive.

La leyenda pervive en el pueblo.

sobrevivir vs subsistir

Similar meaning.

Subsistir is more about the bare minimum of resources (economic survival).

Logran subsistir con la pesca.

sobrevivir vs resistir

Both involve endurance.

Resistir is the act of fighting against; sobrevivir is the state of being alive after.

Resistieron el frío toda la noche.

Structures de phrases

[Sujeto] + sobrevive + con + [recurso].

Él sobrevive con agua.

[Sujeto] + sobrevivió + a + [evento].

Ella sobrevivió a la tormenta.

Es difícil + sobrevivir + en + [lugar].

Es difícil sobrevivir en el desierto.

Dudo que + [sujeto] + sobreviva + a + [evento].

Dudo que el negocio sobreviva a la crisis.

[Concepto] + ha sobrevivido + al paso de + [tiempo].

El mito ha sobrevivido al paso de los siglos.

Sobrevivirse a uno mismo + es + [adjetivo].

Sobrevivirse a uno mismo es doloroso.

[Sujeto] + sobrevive + a + [persona].

El hijo sobrevivió a su padre.

[Sujeto] + va sobreviviendo + [complemento].

Mi abuela va sobreviviendo con su pensión.

Famille de mots

Noms

supervivencia (survival)

superviviente (survivor)

sobreviviente (survivor - less common in Spain, common in LatAm)

Verbes

sobrevivir (to survive)

vivir (to live)

revivir (to revive)

convivir (to coexist)

Adjectifs

superviviente (surviving)

vivido (lived)

viviente (living)

Apparenté

vida

vitalidad

vivienda

víveres

vivencia

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Highly frequent in news, history, and daily hyperbolic conversation.

Erreurs courantes

Sobrevivir el accidente. → Sobrevivir al accidente.
You must use the preposition 'a' (which combines with 'el' to form 'al').
La sobrevivencia es difícil. → La supervivencia es difícil.
The noun form uses the prefix 'super-', not 'sobre-'.
Él sobrevive de un salario. → Él sobrevive con un salario.
While 'de' is used for sources like 'pesca', 'con' is more common for money or tools.
Yo sobrevivó. → Yo sobrevivo.
The first person present tense of -ir verbs ends in -o, but the stem is 'sobreviv-'.
Sobrevivió su padre. → Sobrevivió a su padre.
Without 'a', it sounds like his father was the disaster he survived, not that he lived longer than him.

Astuces

The 'A' Rule

Always pair 'sobrevivir' with 'a' when you survive a specific thing. Think: 'I survived TO the event'.

Super vs Sobre

The verb is 'sobrevivir', but the noun is 'supervivencia'. Don't mix up the prefixes!

Drama King/Queen

Use 'sobrevivir' hyperbolically to complain about a long day. It makes you sound more like a native speaker.

Stress the End

The stress is on the last syllable: vir. Practice: so-bre-vi-VIR.

Conjugation

It's a regular -ir verb. If you know how to conjugate 'vivir', you know 'sobrevivir'.

Preposition Clues

If you hear 'a', they survived an event. If you hear 'de', they are talking about their source of food/money.

Regional Differences

In Latin America, 'sobreviviente' is very common. In Spain, 'superviviente' is the standard.

Cognate Power

Use the English 'survive' as a bridge, but remember the Spanish 'o' and 'e' sounds.

Formal Alternatives

In essays, use 'subsistir' for economics and 'pervivir' for ideas to sound more professional.

Hanging In There

Use 'ir sobreviviendo' as a response to '¿Cómo estás?' to show you are busy or tired.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Sobre' (Over) + 'Vivir' (Live). You are 'Living Over' a problem or obstacle.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person climbing 'over' (sobre) a giant wall representing a problem and continuing to 'live' (vivir) on the other side.

Word Web

Vida Resistencia Lucha Accidente Crisis Muerte Alimento Refugio

Défi

Try to write three sentences: one about surviving a storm, one about surviving a long day, and one about a tradition that survives.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'supervivere', composed of 'super' (over/above) and 'vivere' (to live). It literally means 'to live beyond' a certain point or event.

Sens originel : To live longer than someone else or to remain alive after a disaster.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'sobrevivir' in the context of tragedies; ensure the tone is respectful as it implies a life-or-death situation.

In English, 'survive' is often used transitively ('survive the crash'), whereas in Spanish, the 'a' is essential ('sobrevivir al choque').

'Resistiré' (song by Dúo Dinámico) - though not using the word 'sobrevivir', it is the ultimate anthem of survival in Spain. 'Supervivientes' - the popular TV show. 'La sociedad de la nieve' (Society of the Snow) - famous book/movie about the Andes survivors.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Medical

sobrevivir a la cirugía
probabilidades de sobrevivir
luchar por sobrevivir
sobrevivir al coma

Economic

sobrevivir a la inflación
sobrevivir con el sueldo
sobrevivir al despido
sobrevivir a la quiebra

Nature

sobrevivir en la selva
sobrevivir a la sequía
sobrevivir al depredador
sobrevivir al frío

Emotional

sobrevivir a la ruptura
sobrevivir al duelo
sobrevivir a la soledad
sobrevivir a la tristeza

Historical

sobrevivir a la guerra
sobrevivir al paso de los siglos
sobrevivir a la censura
sobrevivir a la conquista

Amorces de conversation

"¿Qué tres cosas llevarías a una isla desierta para sobrevivir?"

"¿Crees que podrías sobrevivir una semana sin tu teléfono móvil?"

"¿Conoces a alguien que haya sobrevivido a una situación muy peligrosa?"

"¿Cómo logran las empresas pequeñas sobrevivir a las grandes corporaciones?"

"¿Cuál es el secreto para sobrevivir a un lunes por la mañana?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre un momento en el que sentiste que solo estabas 'sobreviviendo' y cómo cambiaste esa situación.

Imagina que eres un explorador en el Amazonas. Describe cómo logras sobrevivir un día entero.

¿Qué valores crees que deben sobrevivir en nuestra sociedad a pesar de los cambios tecnológicos?

Describe una tradición de tu familia que ha sobrevivido a través de varias generaciones.

Si ocurriera un apocalipsis, ¿cuál sería tu estrategia para sobrevivir?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Se dice 'sobrevivir al accidente'. En español, el verbo sobrevivir requiere la preposición 'a' cuando indicamos qué es lo que se ha superado. Por ejemplo: 'Sobrevivió a la caída'.

Vivir es el acto general de estar vivo. Sobrevivir implica que hubo un peligro, una dificultad o un riesgo de muerte que se ha superado. No usamos sobrevivir para acciones cotidianas sin riesgo.

No, la forma correcta y aceptada por la RAE es 'supervivencia'. Aunque algunas personas usan 'sobrevivencia' por analogía con el verbo, se considera un error en el lenguaje estándar.

Es un verbo regular de la tercera conjugación: yo sobreviví, tú sobreviviste, él/ella sobrevivió, nosotros sobrevivimos, vosotros sobrevivisteis, ellos/ellas sobrevivieron.

Sí, es muy común. Se usa para decir que alguien tiene lo justo para vivir: 'Sobrevive con un sueldo muy bajo'. En este caso, suele ir acompañado de la preposición 'con'.

Significa vivir más tiempo que esa persona. Por ejemplo, 'La reina sobrevivió a su marido por muchos años' significa que ella siguió viva después de que él muriera.

Se puede usar 'superviviente' (más común en España) o 'sobreviviente' (más común en América). Ambos son correctos.

Se usa para indicar la fuente de sustento: 'Sobreviven de la agricultura'. Indica de qué obtienen lo necesario para no morir de hambre.

Normalmente no. Sin embargo, en contextos literarios o filosóficos se puede usar 'sobrevivirse' para indicar que alguien sigue existiendo después de haber perdido su esencia o fama.

Se dice 'superviviente' o 'sobreviviente'. Por ejemplo: 'Hubo tres supervivientes en el naufragio'.

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