Spanish word

violín

Pronunciation

IPA/bjoˈlin/

Meaning

  • masculine nounviolin

Example

Mi hijo aprende a tocar el violín.

My son is learning to play the violin.

Illustration for violín (violin)

More examples

¿Puedes afinar el violín antes del ensayo?

Can you tune the violin before rehearsal?

Core concept

Small four-stringed bowed instrument held on the shoulder and under the chin.

Common phrases

  • tocar el violín

    play the violin

  • afinar el violín

    tune the violin

  • clase de violín

    violin lesson

Similar words

guitarra: Plucked string instrument played with fingers or a pick and held against the body.
instrumento: General device or tool used to produce musical sound.
música: Artistic expression of organized sound through singing or instrumental performance.

Definition in Spanish

Instrumento de cuerda que se toca con un arco, generalmente con cuatro cuerdas y apoyado en el hombro para producir la melodía.

Word origin

It comes from Italian violino 'little viola', a diminutive of viola and ultimately from Latin vitula.

Usage tips

  • Spanish uses the verb tocar for playing instruments and conversations about lessons or practice commonly use forms of tocar.

Related words

Word lists with this word