villa
/VEE-yah/
town
In Spanish, 'villa' can refer to a small town or settlement, typically larger than a village.
villa(noun)
town
?A settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city
small city
?Historically significant or administratively important settlement
,large village
?General size comparison
📝 In Action
Mi abuela vive en una villa tranquila cerca de la costa.
A2My grandmother lives in a quiet town near the coast.
Esta villa celebra un festival de cine cada año.
B1This town holds a film festival every year.
Las villas medievales solían estar amuralladas.
C1Medieval towns used to be walled.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though many town names are masculine, the word 'villa' itself is always feminine, so you must use 'la villa' or 'una villa'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Size
Mistake: "Using 'villa' for a huge metropolis."
Correction: Use 'ciudad' (city) for major urban areas. 'Villa' implies a smaller, often historic, community.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Status
In Spain and Latin America, 'villa' sometimes refers to a place that historically received special rights from a monarch, even if it’s small today.
A 'villa' also specifically denotes a large, luxurious house or estate, often used as a holiday retreat.
villa(noun)
villa
?A large, luxurious house or estate
mansion
?Especially a vacation home or country estate
,large detached house
?A luxurious home, often with gardens
📝 In Action
Alquilamos una villa con piscina privada para nuestras vacaciones.
B1We rented a villa with a private pool for our vacation.
La villa tiene vistas espectaculares al mar.
B1The villa has spectacular views of the sea.
Compraron una antigua villa romana y la restauraron.
B2They bought an old Roman villa (estate) and restored it.
💡 Grammar Points
Distinguishing Meanings
Context is key! If you are talking about renting a place for a week, it probably means 'luxury house.' If you are talking about governance or history, it means 'town.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Historical Context
This meaning is very close to the word's original Latin meaning, referring to a large farm or estate outside the city walls.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: villa
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'villa' in the sense of a luxurious house?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'villa' and 'pueblo'?
'Pueblo' generally means 'village' or 'small town' and is the most common term for a small settlement. 'Villa' often implies a slightly larger or historically more important town, or sometimes, a very luxurious house. Think of 'villa' as usually being a step up in size or status from a simple 'pueblo'.
How is 'villa' related to 'villano' (villain)?
'Villano' originally just meant 'someone who lives in a villa' (a townsperson or peasant, not a city dweller). Over time, city people looked down on 'villanos,' and the word took on the negative meaning of 'bad guy' or 'scoundrel,' similar to how the English word 'villain' evolved.