Italian · Time, Numbers & Colors

"Purple" in Italian: viola

viola

Say it: VYOH-lahadjective/ˈvjɔ.la/

Purple in Italian is viola (VYOH-lah). After a noun it often stays viola for all genders: una sciarpa viola, un cappotto viola.

Choosing a sweater

Prendo il maglione viola.
I'll take the purple sweater.
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How to pronounce viola

Say it

VYOH-lah

/ˈvjɔ.la/

Viola stresses VYOH: VYOH-lah. Soft v. Also the flower and the instrument namesake.

"Purple" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
violapurple; violet

Color.

viola scurodark purple

Shade.

viola chiarolight purple

Shade.

in violain purple

Outfit.

How to use viola in real life

  1. 1Choosing a sweater

    Prendo il maglione viola.

    I'll take the purple sweater.

    Maglione viola.

  2. 2Flower market

    Quei fiori viola sono bellissimi.

    Those purple flowers are beautiful.

    Fiori viola.

  3. 3Team colors

    La sciarpa della tifoseria è viola.

    The fans' scarf is purple.

    È viola.

Mistakes English speakers make with viola

Incorrect: Una maglia viola-a.

Correct: Una maglia viola.

Viola as color usually stays invariable after the noun.

Incorrect: Voglio purple jeans.

Correct: Voglio jeans viola.

Use viola, not English purple.

Good to know

Viola is purple and also Florence's football color—tifosi fiorentini live in viola. The word also names the violet flower and the viola instrument.

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Picking nail polish

  1. ChatPal

    Preferisci il viola o il rosso?

    Do you prefer purple or red?

  2. You

    Il viola, più elegante.

    Purple—more elegant.

  3. ChatPal

    Ok, questo smalto viola è nuovo.

    Ok, this purple polish is new.

  4. You

    Perfetto, lo provo.

    Perfect, I'll try it.

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"Purple" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Purple" in Italian

Agreement?

As a color after the noun, usually invariable.

Dark purple?

Viola scuro.

Violet flower?

Also la viola.

Instrument?

La viola—different meaning, same spelling.

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