verb
to live, to be alive
A1
'leben' means 'to live' (reside, have life) and 'to be alive'. It’s a regular weak verb using auxiliary haben for perfect (Partizip: gelebt). Non‑reflexive; can be used for life experiences (ich habe dort gelebt) or state of being alive. Imperative: leb!; regular conjugation.
Examples
Ich lebe in Berlin.
I live in Berlin.
Der Künstler lebte mehrere Jahre im Ausland, damit er neue Eindrücke sammelte.
The artist lived abroad for several years so that he could gather new impressions.
Meine Eltern leben in Berlin.
My parents live in Berlin.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a life 'ledger' (leben) recording daily events
sounds like 'leave' but with a b — think 'to live' not to leave
Notes
Used both for residing and for being alive. Regular weak verb with haben as auxiliary in perfect tenses. Intransitive/staative uses: passive conjugation blocks are not applicable because 'leben' is not normally used transitively to form a meaningful patient-oriented passive.