Spanish Phrase
Tienes derecho a vivir en un lugar habitable.
Meaning
‘You have the right to live in a habitable place.’ The sentence asserts a legal or moral entitlement to decent, safe housing.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing housing rights, tenant advocacy, or any situation where you want to emphasize that a person is entitled to live in a place that meets basic living standards.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tienesderechoavivirenunlugarhabitable
Tener (present)
‘Tienes’ is the 2nd‑person singular present of ‘tener’, used here to express possession or entitlement.
Derecho + a + infinitivo
In Spanish, the construction ‘derecho a + infinitive’ expresses a right to perform an action.
Infinitive ‘vivir’
The verb ‘vivir’ remains in its infinitive form after ‘a’, indicating the action you have the right to do.
Preposition ‘en’ + article + noun
‘en un lugar’ means ‘in a place’; the indefinite article ‘un’ signals that the place is not specified.
Adjective placement
‘habitable’ follows the noun it modifies, which is the normal order in Spanish.
🗨In Conversation
¿Sabías que la Constitución garantiza que todos tengan derecho a una vivienda digna?
Did you know that the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to decent housing?
Sí, por eso tienes derecho a vivir en un lugar habitable.
Yes, that's why you have the right to live in a habitable place.
✕Common Mistakes
Tienes derecho vivir en un lugar habitable.
The preposition ‘a’ is required before the infinitive.
Tienes derecho de vivir en un lugar habitable.
When expressing a right to do something, use ‘derecho a + infinitivo’, not ‘derecho de’.
Tienes derecho a vivir en un lugar habital.
Avoid the false friend ‘habitable’ meaning ‘livable’; the correct adjective is ‘habitable’ (same spelling, but pronunciation differs).
↔Alternatives
Tienes el derecho de vivir en una vivienda digna.
You have the right to live in a decent home.
Eres titular del derecho a una vivienda adecuada.
You are entitled to the right to adequate housing.
Tienes derecho a una casa que sea habitable.
You have the right to a house that is habitable.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, the right to adequate housing is enshrined in the constitution or in international agreements such as the UN's Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. NGOs and legal advocates often use the phrase ‘derecho a una vivienda digna’ in campaigns, so you’ll hear it in both formal legal texts and activist slogans.