viola
/viˈɔ.la/masculine
viola is the Italian word for purple.
viola can function as both a noun and an adjective.
Meaning: colour (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the color as a noun, it is typically used with the masculine singular article il. When used as an adjective to describe a noun, viola is invariable and does not change for gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
/viˈɔ.la/. The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- Some theories suggest the root of viola might be linked to the Latin goddess Vitula, who was associated with cattle.
- While viola is the common word for purple, the word porpora is used specifically for the deep reddish-purple associated with royalty and the Catholic Church.
- In Italian, the word viola refers to both the colour purple and the musical instrument known as the viola.
Examples in context
- Io amo il viola.I love purple.This sentence shows how to express a preference for the color using viola.Tatoeba #13297943 by Guybrush88, translation #3821318 by CK
- Gli piace il viola.He likes purple.This sentence shows how to express liking the color using viola.Tatoeba #8489405 by Guybrush88, translation #8479271 by CH
- Questo fiore è viola.This flower is purple.This sentence demonstrates using viola as an adjective to describe a flower.Tatoeba #10931893 by JeanM, translation #7327847 by MarijnKp
- Le rose sono viola quest'anno.The roses are purple this year.
- I fiori sono di un colore porpora straordinario.The flowers are of an extraordinary purple color.
- I fiori sono di un colore purpurino magnifico.The flowers are of a magnificent purple color.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are looking at some new curtains for the living room.
- LorenzoChe ne dici di questo viola?What do you think of this purple?
- MartinaÈ bello, ma il blu è meglio.It is beautiful, but blue is better.
- LorenzoPerò il viola è più originale.But purple is more original.
- MartinaHai ragione, Lorenzo, proviamo il viola.You're right, Lorenzo, let's try the purple.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “purple” translations and entries viola, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
