villa
/ˈvil.la/feminine
The Italian word for villa is villa.
The term villa is the most generic way to refer to a villa in Italian. It specifically describes a large, often stately country house or a luxury retreat. This distinguishes it from casa, which is the general word for any house.
Meaning: a house used as a retreat (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Italian, villa refers to a large, often stately country house or a luxury retreat, whereas casa is the general word for a house.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the northern part of Italy, the term palazzo is occasionally used to refer to prestigious and grand villas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of villa is ville.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈvil.la/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
Specific architectural styles are often noted, such as a villa palladiana, which refers to villas designed in the Palladian style. One might also specify the setting using the term Villa di campagna to mean a countryside villa.
Did you know?
- The phrase villa can be used ironically in Italian to describe any small, humble house that the owner considers their own little sanctuary.
- The English word 'village' is a distant relative of the Italian villa, as both derive from the same Latin root.
- In Italy, the term villa is often used in the names of museums, such as the Villa Borghese, because many aristocratic retreats were converted into public galleries.
Examples in context
- Chi possiede questa villa?Who owns this villa?This sentence is useful for asking about the ownership of a villa.Tatoeba #3375003 by Guybrush88, translation #57210 by CM
- Maria ci mostrò la sua villa.Maria showed us her villa.This sentence is useful for describing someone showing their villa.Tatoeba #4733617 by Guybrush88, translation #1794710 by CP
- La sua villa si trova sulla collina.Her villa sits on the hill.This sentence is useful for describing the location of a villa.Tatoeba #3403123 by Guybrush88, translation #309734 by CM
- La villa di mio zio è molto grandeMy uncle's villa is very big.
- La villa signorile si affaccia sul mareThe elegant villa overlooks the sea.
- La nostra villa di campagna è circondata da vignetiOur countryside villa is surrounded by vineyards.
- Vado a passare l'estate nella mia casa di campagnaI'm going to spend the summer at my villa in the countryside.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are talking about their weekend plans.
- AlessandroAndiamo a passare il weekend in villa?Shall we spend the weekend at the villa?
- SofiaSì, mi piace molto quella villa.Yes, I really like that villa.
- AlessandroÈ perfetta per riposarsi un po'.It is perfect for getting some rest.
- SofiaAllora partiamo domani mattina, Alessandro.Then let's leave tomorrow morning, Alessandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “villa” translations and entries villa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries villa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
