βιολοντσέλο
violontséloneuter
The Greek word for cello is βιολοντσέλο (violontsélo). Wiktionary also lists τσέλο (tsélo).
Meaning: musical instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| βιολοντσέλο | violontsélo | neuter |
| τσέλο | tsélo | neuter |
The term refers to the musical instrument known as the cello.
Which one should you use?
The full form βιολοντσέλο is used in more formal or technical musical contexts, whereas the shortened form τσέλο is more common in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the word is neuter, the definite article used is το (to).
How do you pronounce it?
violontsélo
Did you know?
- When referring to the 'bow' used for the τσέλο, Greeks use the word τόξο, which is the exact same word used for an archer's bow.
- The Greek word for 'tuning' the βιολοντσέλο uses the verb κουρδίζω, which is the same word used for winding a clock or a spring.
- When discussing the 'voice' of the τσέλο in Greek, musicians often use the word χρώμα (color) to describe the timbre, saying the instrument has a 'dark color'.
Examples in context
- Περνάω περίπου τρεις ώρες την εβδομάδα εξασκημένος στο βιολοντσέλο.I spend about three hours a week practicing the cello.This sentence is useful for describing how much time one spends practicing the βιολοντσέλο.Tatoeba #7705396 by carlosalberto, translation #7704633 by CK
- Ο φίλος μου παίζει πολύ καλά τσέλο.My friend plays the cello very well.
- Αποφάσισα να ασχοληθώ με το τσέλο και να μάθω να παίζω.I decided to get involved with the cello and learn how to play it.
- Το βιολοντσέλο είναι ένα πανέμορφο όργανο.To violontselo einai ena panemorfo ormano.The cello is a beautiful instrument.
- Αύριο θα αγοράσω ένα νέο βιολοντσέλο.Avrio tha agoraso ena neo violontselo.Tomorrow I will buy a new cello.
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are talking about their music lessons.
- Νίκος NikosΠαίζω βιολοντσέλο εδώ και δύο χρόνια.Paízo violontsélo edó kai dýo chrónia.I have been playing the cello for two years.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι δύσκολο το βιολοντσέλο;Eínai dýskolo to violontsélo?Is the cello difficult?
- Νίκος NikosΝαι, αλλά μου αρέσει πολύ.Nai, allá mou arései polý.Yes, but I like it a lot.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΘέλω να το δοκιμάσω κάποτε!Thélo na to dokimáso kápote!I want to try it sometime!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cello” translations and entries βιολοντσέλο, τσέλο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
