LIVE like FIVE: /laɪv/

live music · live TV · a live lobster · lively · liven up

MiClase Home Grammar Index

1. The sound: live = /laɪv/

live

rhymes with

five

/laɪv/ = L + “EYE” + V

How to make the sound

L — Put the tip of your tongue up behind your top teeth.
EYE — Open your mouth wide for “ah,” then slide to “ee.” This is the long i sound, the same as in I, my, and eye. Make it long and clear.
V — Touch your top teeth to your bottom lip and turn your voice ON. Your lip should buzz. Don’t say F (no voice) or B (lips together).

Rhyme family — click and repeat

💡 The spelling live can also sound like give (I live in Chicago). On this page, every live sounds like five.

2. What does this “live” mean?

① Happening right now

Not recorded. People see or hear it at the same time it happens.

live TV · a live broadcast · live news · go live

The soccer game is on live TV tonight.

The reporter went live from the airport.

② In front of real people

Performed for an audience that is there.

live music · live theater · a live band · a live audience

We saw a live band at the street festival.

I love live theater more than movies.

③ Living, not dead

Used for animals and plants.

a live lobster · live plants · live bait

The restaurant keeps live lobsters in a tank.

④ Carrying electricity

Dangerous to touch!

a live wire · a live electrical line

Don't touch that cable. It's live!

Grammar: where does it go?

Use	Pattern	Example
Adjective	live + noun	a live concert
Adverb	verb + live	They performed live.
After be (= happening now)	be + live	We are live in five minutes!

⚠️ For a living animal after the verb be, use alive, not live:
✘ The lobster is live. ✔ The lobster is alive. ✔ a live lobster

3. The word family — all with the FIVE sound

Word	Meaning	Example
lively	full of energy and fun	The market is very lively on Saturday mornings.
liven up	make something more exciting	Some music will liven up the party.
livestream	a video shown live on the internet	My cousin watched the wedding on a livestream.
livestock	farm animals (cows, pigs, sheep)	The farmer sells livestock at the county fair.
livelihood	the way you earn money to live	Fishing is the family's livelihood.
a live wire	(idiom) a very energetic person	My niece is a real live wire. She never sits still!
alive	living, not dead (after a verb)	The plant is still alive.

💡 alive = a + LIVE: /əˈlaɪv/. You can hear the same “eye” sound inside it.

4. Activity: Rhyme Radar 📡

Click every word that rhymes with live (like five). Each word plays when you click it, so listen carefully. Then click Check.

5. Activity: Live or Recorded? 🎬

Is each event live (happening now, in front of people) or recorded (made earlier)?

6. Activity: Choose the Best Word ✏️

7. Say It! 🗣️

Shadowing

Click 🔊, listen, then say the sentence at the same time as the voice. Make the “eye” sound long and clear.

I love live music.

We watched the game live.

Is the show live or recorded?

The band livened up the night.

Five live bands in one night!

The lobsters are still alive.

Talk with a partner

Have you ever seen live music or live theater? What was it like?
Do you prefer to watch sports live or later? Why?
What livens up a party in your culture?
Where is the most lively place in your neighborhood?
Do you know anyone who is a real live wire?

Next: Sentence Building (live like five) →

🔊 The listen buttons use your browser's built-in voice. Chrome or Edge usually sound best. If you hear no sound, check your volume.