bolla
/ˈbol.la/
The Italian word for bubble is bolla.
The word bolla refers to anything that resembles a hollow sphere. If you want to refer specifically to a soap bubble, the standard phrase is bolla di sapone.
Meaning: anything resembling a hollow sphere (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bolla is the general term, you may encounter the diminutive Bollicina, which is used to express a small bubble, such as a champagne bubble.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bolla is bolle.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbol.la/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In Italian construction and carpentry, a bolla is the name for a spirit level, the tool used to check if a surface is perfectly horizontal.
- The term bolla papale is the Italian phrase for a papal bull, the most formal type of public decree issued by the Pope.
- The Italian word bolla comes from the Latin word bulla, which originally referred to a round amulet worn by Roman children.
Examples in context
- La vita è come una bolla di sapone.Life is like a soap bubble.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use bolla in the phrase bolla di sapone.Tatoeba #5172534 by Guybrush88, translation #2006339 by AlanF_US
- Una bolla d'aria si è formata nel vetro.An air bubble formed in the glass.
- Guarda quella bolla che sale nel bicchiere.Look at that bubble rising in the glass.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are watching bubbles in a glass of sparkling water.
- LorenzoVedi quella bolla nel tuo bicchiere?Do you see that bubble in your glass?
- MartinaSì, è molto piccola e veloce.Yes, it is very small and fast.
- LorenzoIl mio bicchiere ne ha molte di più.My glass has many more of them.
- MartinaÈ molto frizzante questa acqua.This water is very fizzy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bolla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
