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violín

bee-oh-LEEN/bjoˈlin/

“violín” means “violin” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

violin

Also: fiddle
NounmA1
A classic wooden violin with a bow resting against it.

📝 In Action

Ella practica el violín tres horas al día.

A1

She practices the violin three hours a day.

El violín tiene un sonido muy agudo.

A2

The violin has a very high-pitched sound.

Mi abuelo me regaló un violín antiguo.

B1

My grandfather gave me an antique violin.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • tocar el violín – to play the violin
  • arco de violín – violin bow
  • clases de violín – violin lessons

Idioms & Expressions

  • tocar el violín – To be a 'third wheel' (common in some regions like Argentina/Chile), though 'tocar la viola' or 'ser el violinista' is also used for this.

violinist

NounmB2formal
A person sitting in an orchestra chair holding a violin and a bow.

📝 In Action

Él es el primer violín de la orquesta filarmónica.

B2

He is the first violinist (concertmaster) of the philharmonic orchestra.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • violinista (violinist)

Common Collocations

  • primer violín – first violin / concertmaster

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "violín" in Spanish:

fiddle→violin→violinist→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: violín

Question 1 of 2

Which verb is used to say 'to play the violin' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
violinista(violinist) — Noun
violonchelo(cello) — Noun
viola(viola) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
jardíndelfínsinfínpatín
📚 Etymology▼

From Italian 'violino', which is a smaller version of the 'viola'.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: violinFrench: violonItalian: violino

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'violín' masculine or feminine?

It is masculine: 'el violín' (the violin) and 'un violín' (a violin).

What is the difference between 'violín' and 'violinista'?

'Violín' is the instrument itself, while 'violinista' is the person who plays it. However, in an orchestra, you might call the lead player the 'primer violín'.