avivare

Avivar is a verb used in Romance languages with senses related to reviving, enlivening, or intensifying life, energy, or interest in something. It can be used literally, as when rekindling a fire, or figuratively, to awaken enthusiasm, curiosity, or passion.

Etymology and sense. The term derives from a Latin root associated with life (viv-), typically combined with a productive prefix that conveys onset or intensification. The core idea across languages is “make alive again” or “bring back to life.”

Usage across languages. In Spanish and Portuguese, avivar is common and versatile. It can mean to rekindle a flame (avivar el fuego, avivar o fogo) or to arouse or intensify feelings, interest, or activity (avivar el interés; avivar a curiosidade). In Italian, a form avivare exists but is rare and often considered archaic or regional; more widespread Italian options for similar meanings include ravvivare, riaccendere, or risvegliare. In contemporary usage, avivare tends to appear in literary or formal registers in Italian and is less common in everyday speech.

Examples. Spanish: “La conversación avivó el ambiente” (The conversation livened the atmosphere). “El viento avivó el fuego” (The wind rekindled the fire). Portuguese: “A notícia avivou a esperança” (The news revived hope). Italian (archaic/literary): “La musica aviva la folla” (The music revived the crowd), though more common modern equivalents would be ravvivare or risvegliare.

See also. Related terms include vivificar, revivir, and ravvivare, which share the general theme of bringing vitality or energy back to something.