01
lebendig
alive
Being alive; not dead.
example
Die Retter suchten in den Trümmern nach lebendigen Personen.
The rescuers searched the rubble for people who were alive.
lebendig
alive / lively
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word structure
The adjective 'lebendig' (alive/lively) is derived directly from the noun 'das Leben' (life). It literally means 'full of life' or 'having life'.
EXAMPLE
Trotz ihres hohen Alters ist sie noch sehr lebendig.
Despite her advanced age, she is still very lively.
Adverbial use
In the meaning 'am Leben' (alive), 'lebendig' (alive) can also be used as an adverbial modifier to describe the state of the object. It answers the question 'Wie?' (How?).
EXAMPLE
Die Fische müssen lebendig ins Wasser zurückgesetzt werden.
The fish must be put back into the water alive.
Typical collocations
When something is described as 'lebendig' (lively) in the sense of 'dynamisch' (dynamic), typical nouns are 'eine lebendige Stadt' (a lively city), 'eine lebendige Diskussion' (a lively discussion), 'ein lebendiger Austausch' (a lively exchange), or 'ein lebendiges Kind' (a lively child).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Tor wurde die Diskussion unter den Fans sehr lebendig.
After the goal, the discussion among the fans became very lively.
Figurative language
In the meaning 'anschaulich' (vivid/clear), 'lebendig' (vivid) is often combined with words that have to do with storytelling or remembering. Typical phrases are 'eine lebendige Beschreibung' (a vivid description), 'eine lebendige Schilderung' (a vivid account), or 'lebendige Erinnerungen' (vivid memories).
EXAMPLE
Der Großvater erzählte uns lebendige Geschichten aus seiner Jugend.
Grandfather told us vivid stories from his youth.
Compare with
lebendig vs verschieden
different / various
'verschieden' and 'lebendig' are opposites only in one specific meaning. 'verschieden' can mean, in elevated language, that someone has died. 'lebendig', on the other hand, means that a person or animal is alive. Important: In most everyday situations, 'verschieden' does not mean 'dead', but 'different'. As an opposite of 'lebendig', 'verschieden' therefore only fits in formal or literary language.
lebendig
Nach dem Unfall war der Hund zum Glück noch lebendig.
After the accident, the dog was fortunately still alive.
verschieden
Der ehemalige Bürgermeister ist im hohen Alter verschieden.
The former mayor passed away at an advanced age.
In real life
Loading video examples...