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
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Meanings
lebendig
lively
Full of life, energy, and movement; very active and dynamic.
EXAMPLE
Berlin ist eine sehr lebendige Stadt mit einem reichen Kulturangebot.
Berlin is a very lively city with a rich cultural scene.
lebendig
vivid
A depiction or narration that is so clear and visual that it seems real.
EXAMPLE
Seine lebendige Schilderung der Ereignisse fesselte alle Zuhörer.
His vivid account of the events captivated all the listeners.
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 lebend
living / alive
Lebend and lebendig can both express that someone or something is not dead. Lebend usually describes the state neutrally, while lebendig can additionally emphasize vitality or visible signs of life. Use lebend in a factual context and lebendig when the person or animal seems active and full of life.
lebendig
Trotz der langen Reise war der Fisch noch lebendig.
Despite the long journey, the fish was still alive.
lebend
Im Aquarium sahen wir einen lebenden Fisch.
We saw a live fish in the aquarium.
In real life
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