vivir al día
Lemma Details
Translation: to live from day to day; to live paycheck to paycheck; to live hand to mouth
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This Spanish phrase combines 'vivir' (to live) with the prepositional phrase 'al día' (to the day). The construction reflects the concept of living with a short-term perspective, focusing only on the present day without planning for the future. The preposition 'a' combined with the definite article 'el' forms the contraction 'al', followed by 'día' (day), creating a temporal expression that emphasizes immediacy and lack of long-term security.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Muchas familias viven al día debido a los bajos salarios.
Many families live paycheck to paycheck due to low wages.
Desde que perdí mi trabajo, estoy viviendo al día.
Since I lost my job, I've been living hand to mouth.
No puedo ahorrar nada porque vivo al día.
I can't save anything because I live from day to day.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'day-to-day' in English, which has a similar meaning and structure.
- Visualize a calendar with only today's date visible, representing the short-term focus.
- Connect 'al día' with the English phrase 'paycheck to paycheck' - both emphasize the cyclical, short-term nature of financial survival.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries to describe economic precarity or a lifestyle without financial planning. It can reflect both a chosen philosophy of living in the moment or, more commonly, economic circumstances that force people to focus on immediate survival rather than long-term planning. The expression has gained additional relevance during economic crises in various Spanish-speaking countries.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'vivir al día' emphasizes financial precarity and living without savings, 'vivir el día a día' can more broadly mean to live in the present moment or take life one day at a time, not necessarily implying financial struggle.
Notes: The distinction can be subtle and the phrases sometimes overlap in usage, but 'vivir al día' more specifically connotes financial constraints.
Mnemonic: 'Al día' focuses on financial survival to the day; 'el día a día' focuses on experiencing each day as it comes.
Explanation: 'Vivir al día' means living paycheck to paycheck, while 'estar al día' means to be up-to-date or current with something.
This word:
Es difícil ahorrar cuando vives al día.
It's difficult to save when you live paycheck to paycheck.
Confused word:
Me gusta estar al día con las noticias internacionales.
I like to stay up-to-date with international news.
Notes: Both use 'al día' but with completely different meanings based on the verb they accompany.
Mnemonic: Think of 'vivir al día' as surviving day by day, while 'estar al día' is staying current day by day.