<p>活  means "live" in the sense of being alive, while 住 means "live" in the sense of "to reside."</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-08-28T13:02:46.637Z
2012-08-28T13:02:46.637Z
Tom Au
<p>Yes. The two words are actually applied differently.</p>

<p>活 is applied in a more abstract sense. Such as to live in fear (活在恐惧之中), to live in this world (活在这世上). This has more to do with survival or staying alive.</p>

<p>住 is applied in a physical sense. Such as to live in this house (住在这屋里), to live in this place (住在这地方). "Stay" would be a good alternative to "live" for better clarity of the meaning. This has more to do with accomodation.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-08-27T16:08:41.437Z
2012-08-28T02:28:45.013Z
2012-08-28T02:28:45.013Z
杨以轩
<p>I read that both 活 and 住 both refer to the verb "to live". Is there a difference between the two?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-08-27T23:28:13.143Z
I think it serves if you are to look up the definition of to live. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/live . Once you understand the difference between the different senses of to live, you will naturally understand the difference between 活 and 住.
deutschZuid
<synonyms><difference>
Difference between 活 and 住?
# Difference between 活 and 住?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-08-27)

I read that both 活 and 住 both refer to the verb "to live". Is there a difference between the two?

**Tags:** synonyms, difference

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think it serves if you are to look up the definition of to live. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/live . Once you understand the difference between the different senses of to live, you will naturally understand the difference between 活 and 住.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-08-27. Score: 10 | Accepted answer

Yes. The two words are actually applied differently.

活 is applied in a more abstract sense. Such as to live in fear (活在恐惧之中), to live in this world (活在这世上). This has more to do with survival or staying alive.

住 is applied in a physical sense. Such as to live in this house (住在这屋里), to live in this place (住在这地方). "Stay" would be a good alternative to "live" for better clarity of the meaning. This has more to do with accomodation.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2012-08-28. Score: 4

活 means "live" in the sense of being alive, while 住 means "live" in the sense of "to reside."


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