バイオリン
baiorin[ba̠io̞ɾʲĩɴ]
The English word violin is translated into Japanese as バイオリン (baiorin). Wiktionary also lists 小提琴 (Koteikin) and 提琴 (teikin).
Meaning: string instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| バイオリン | baiorin | [ba̠io̞ɾʲĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 小提琴 | Koteikin | |
| 提琴 | teikin | [te̞ːkʲĩɴ] (narrow) |
| フィドル | fidoru |
The term refers to the string instrument.
Which one should you use?
小提琴 (Koteikin) and 提琴 (teikin) are also terms for the violin, while フィドル (fidoru) is the transliteration of the English word fiddle.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
バイオリン is the most common way to say violin in everyday conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
baiorin
Did you know?
- The term 提琴 originates from Middle Chinese, showing that the concept of the violin entered the Japanese lexicon through Chinese channels before the English loanword became dominant.
- Unlike the English 'violin', which can be used broadly, バイオリン in Japan is strictly associated with Western classical music and almost never refers to the 'kokyū', a traditional Japanese bowed lute.
- If you see フィドル in a Japanese text, it is almost certainly referring to a specific folk or bluegrass style of playing, rather than just a synonym for the instrument.
Examples in context
- バイオリンが弾けるの？Can you play the violin?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has the ability to play the バイオリン.Tatoeba #12027492 by bunbuku, translation #69796 by CK
- バイオリンを弾いてるのは誰？Who is playing the violin?This sentence is useful for identifying the person playing the バイオリン.Tatoeba #11643280 by small_snow, translation #7429649 by deniko
- トムはバイオリンが上手だった。Tom was good at playing the violin.This sentence is useful for describing someone's skill level with the バイオリン.Tatoeba #2853002 by tommy_san, translation #2853050 by CK
- 私はバイオリンを弾いています。I play the violin.
- 最近、バイオリンを始めました。Recently, I started playing the violin.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a music classroom.
- 陽葵 Himariこのバイオリン、すごく綺麗ですね。Kono baiorin, sugoku kirei desu ne.This violin is very beautiful.
- 蓮 Renはい、新しいバイオリンです。Hai, atarashii baiorin desu.Yes, it is a new violin.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは、それを弾きますか？Ren-san wa, sore o hikimasu ka?Will you play it, Ren?
- 蓮 Renはい、練習しています。Hai, renshuu shite imasu.Yes, I am practicing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “violin” translations and entries バイオリン, 提琴, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries バイオリン, 提琴, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
