Vivientes

Vivientes is the plural form of viviente, an adjective in Spanish meaning alive or living. It can describe people, animals, or other beings that possess life. The term is commonly used in literary, religious, or formal contexts to emphasize existence and vitality, often in contrast with the dead or with non-living things.

Etymology and form: viviente comes from Latin vivens, viventis, the present participle of vivere (to live). The plural vivientes agrees with masculine, feminine, and mixed groups (los seres vivientes, las criaturas vivientes). In standard grammar, the singular viviente functions as an adjective and can also appear as a noun in limited or stylistic uses, though more common noun phrases use ser vivo, ser humano vivo, o persona viva.

Usage and nuance: In everyday language, palabras like ser vivo or seres vivos are preferred for scientific or general reference to living organisms. Viviente tends to carry a formal, ceremonial, or poetic register and is frequent in religious, philosophical, or literary texts. It can appear in phrases such as “los seres vivientes de la tierra,” “criaturas vivientes,” or “un ser viviente.”

Synonyms and related terms: ser vivo, criatura viva, ser viviente (poetic/formal). The term is distinct from surviviente (sobreviviente), which denotes someone who has survived an event, and from difunto, meaning deceased.

See also: vida, ser vivo, ser viviente, existir.