Conjugation Tables for the Italian Verb 'Vivere'

Vivere is an Italian verb meaning to "live," "be alive," "live (or subsist) on," "last," "endure," or "live through." It is an irregular second-conjugation Italian verb. Vivere is a transitive verb (meaning that it takes a direct object) or an intransitive verb (meaning that it does not take a direct object). It is conjugated below with the auxiliary verb avere; when used intransitively, it is conjugated with the auxiliary verb essere.

The Auxiliary Verbs "Avere" and "Essere"

Before conjugating viviere, it's important to understand the role of auxiliary verbs. In Italian, an auxiliary verb—either avere or essere—is used whenever forming compound tenses. The auxiliary (or helping) verb, in combination with another, gives a particular meaning to the conjugated verb form. For example, compound tenses such as the passato prossimo are formed with the present indicative of the auxiliary verb avere or essere and the participio passato, “past participle."

Irregular Second-Conjugation Verbs

It's also helpful to understand a bit about irregular second-conjugation verbs, such as vivere, whch are those ending in –ere. These verbs are usually divided into two groups:

• Verbs ending in –ére, (cadere, dovere, and valere). The majority of irregular changes occur in the root, generally in the present indicative and subjunctive (valg–o, valg–a).
• Verbs ending in –’ere (accendere, accludere, and vivere) in which the accent falls on the stem. Usually, these irregular verbs have changes in the past remote and the past participle (acce–si, acce–so).

Conjugating "Vivere"

The tables provide conjugations for tenses and moods of the verb vivere. Where available, links provide an opportunity to find further information about the meaning and use of the mood or tense

INDICATIVE/INDICATIVO

SUBJUNCTIVE/CONGIUNTIVO

CONDITIONAL/CONDIZIONALE

IMPERATIVE/IMPERATIVO

Presente

INFINITIVE/INFINITO

PARTICIPLE/PARTICIPIO

GERUND/GERUNDIO