viola
/viˈɔ.la/feminine
The English phrase 'viola' translates to the Italian viola.
The term viola refers to the musical instrument of the violin family, but it also refers to the flower.
Meaning: music: stringed instrument of the violin family (noun)
Which one should you use?
While viola is the term for the viola, the violin is called violino in Italian.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, the definite article used with viola is la.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The pronunciation is /viˈɔ.la/.
Did you know?
- The word viola is used in Italian to describe the color purple, as the word for the flower is also the name for the hue.
- The Italian word viola may be linked to Vitula, a forgotten goddess of the ancient Romans.
- Unlike the English 'viola', which is a specific instrument, the Italian viola was historically used to describe a wider family of bowed instruments before the 'violin' became standardized.
Examples in context
- La viola è uno strumento bellissimo.The viola is a beautiful instrument.
- Suona la viola in un'orchestra.She plays the viola in an orchestra.
- Ho comprato una nuova viola.I bought a new viola.
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are at a music store.
- MatteoSofia, guarda questa viola.Sofia, look at this viola.
- SofiaÈ molto elegante, Matteo.It is very elegant, Matteo.
- MatteoVuoi provarla?Do you want to try it?
- SofiaSì, grazie mille.Yes, thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “viola” translations and entries viola, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
