fisarmonica
feminine
The English word "accordion" is fisarmonica in Italian.
The term refers to a small, portable, keyed wind instrument. When you want to say you are playing the instrument, you use the definite article, such as in the phrase suonare la fisarmonica.
Meaning: a small, portable, keyed wind instrument (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, the word organetto is more commonly used and refers specifically to a smaller-sized accordion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word fisarmonica is a feminine noun. The plural form of fisarmonica is fisarmoniche.
Did you know?
- In Italian culture, the fisarmonica is the heart of the 'liscio' music tradition, a rhythmic folk style often played at weddings and village festivals.
- The word fisarmonica is a linguistic hybrid, combining the Greek word phûsa for 'bellows' with the Latin-derived 'armonica'.
- The term organetto can sometimes imply a more rustic or peasant-class instrument compared to the more professional-sounding fisarmonica.
Examples in context
- Io suonavo la fisarmonica.I played the accordion.This sentence shows how to express playing the instrument using fisarmonica.Tatoeba #1649738 by Guybrush88, translation #252654 by CK
- Ha visto la mia fisarmonica?Have you seen my accordion?This sentence uses fisarmonica to ask about the location of the instrument.Tatoeba #13352513 by Guybrush88, translation #12115291 by CK
- Tom suona la fisarmonica piuttosto bene.Tom plays the accordion quite well.This sentence uses fisarmonica to describe someone's ability to play the instrument.Tatoeba #7229342 by Guybrush88, translation #2050616 by CK
- Ho imparato a suonare la fisarmonica da bambino.I learned to play the accordion as a child.
- Sono andato a un concerto di musica folk e c'era un bravissimo suonatore di organetto.I went to a folk music concert, and there was an excellent organetto player.
- In quel gruppo di musica popolare, il cantante suona la chitarra e il fisarmonicista suona la fisa.In that folk music band, the singer plays the guitar, and the accordionist plays the fisa.
- All'evento di musica tradizionale lombarda, suonavano delle belle melodie con l'organella.At the Lombard traditional music event, they played beautiful melodies with the organella.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are at a music store.
- LorenzoGuarda questa bella fisarmonica, Martina.Look at this beautiful accordion, Martina.
- MartinaSì, è molto elegante.Yes, it is very elegant.
- LorenzoVuoi provare a suonarla?Do you want to try playing it?
- MartinaNo, grazie, preferisco il pianoforte.No, thanks, I prefer the piano.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “accordion” translations and entries fisarmonica, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fisarmonica, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
