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December 17, 2022 by Luis F. Dominguez Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

Ultimate Guide to 80+ Dance Vocabulary Words in Spanish

Learning dance vocabulary words in Spanish is crucial to master the wide variety of Latin rhythms and other dance styles. 

While people say that music is an international language, the truth is that to speak it you must first master a few important dance terms. If you’re a fan of dancing and want to learn all about the world of dance, this is the post you’ve been waiting for. 

Keep reading to find out about the most popular dance vocabulary words in Spanish. I’ve also thrown in some useful words to describe dancers and other dance terms used in different dance styles.

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Dance Vocabulary Words

The world of dance in Spanish is rich and diverse in its vocabulary, and if you’re into dancing, you’ll need to learn some of these dance terms.

Let’s start with these modern dance vocabulary words: 

English Spanish
to dancebailar
dance styleel estilo de baile
techniquela técnica
stepel paso
movementel movimiento
hipslas caderas
armel brazo
right handla mano derecha
left handla mano izquierda
turn la vuelta
half turnla media vuelta
feetlos pies
to improviseimprovisar
to walk caminar

Spanish Words to Describe Dancers

Every language has different words to describe great dancers, it’s time to discover the most common ones used in Spanish. 

A “dancer” in Spanish can be called:

  • El bailarín, la bailarina.
  • El bailador, la bailadora. 
  • El danzante, la danzante. 

These are all valid terms to refer to a dancer. But, how would you describe a great dancer in Spanish? 

The following list of adjectives will help you when you need to talk about a dancer in Spanish: 

English Spanish
elegantelegante
beautifulhermoso, hermosa
expressiveexpresivo, expresiva
extraordinaryextraordinario, extraordinaria
strongfuerte
agileágil
gracefulagraciado, agraciada
acrobaticacrobático, acrobática
brilliantbrillante
goodbueno, buena
inspiringinspirador, inspiradora
fastrápido, rápida
flexibleflexible

Different Dance Styles Using Spanish Vocabulary

Obviously, depending on the dance style you prefer, you need to use different dance vocabulary words.

Let’s find out now different dance terms according to some of the most popular dance styles in the Spanish-speaking world: 

Tango Vocabulary in Spanish

English Spanish
sequencela figura
axisel eje
stopla parada
way outla salida
variationslas variantes
extractiona sacada
dance hallel salón
leadel conductor / la conductora
followerel conducido / la conducida
the walkla caminata
hookel gancho
pencilel lápiz
cut el corte

Watch this beautiful video of a couple dancing to one of the the world’s most famous tango songs: 

Dance Vocabulary Words: Ballet in Spanish

When it comes to ballet terms, and other words to describe ballet dancers, Spanish has a wide vocabulary to choose from: 

English Spanish
ballet positionslas posiciones de ballet
ballet schoolla escuela de ballet
leotardel leotardo
ballet shoeslas zapatillas de ballet
ballet skirtel tutu
nails on tip and heellas uñas en punta y talón
ballet barla barra
stageel escenario
audienceel público
prima ballerinala primera bailarina

“Swan Lake” by Tchaikovsky is arguably the most popular ballet play of all times: 

Salsa Vocabulary Words in Spanish

Salsa is perhaps the most Latin of Latin rhythms. 

Up to this day, when I listen to salsa I get in a good mood. It’s music made by happy people who are passionate about music and express that feeling through their dancing. 

English Spanish
forward stepadelante
back stepatrás
move to the sideal costado
fallla caída
box stepel cuadrado
couplingel enganche
brakeel freno
tiltingla inclinada
kickla patada
whippingel latigazo
salsa dancerel salsero / la salsera

Some call Cali the “World Capital of Salsa” and, after watching this video, is hard to argue with them: 

Ballroom Dance Vocabulary Words in Spanish

Ballroom dance is very popular in Latin America. It’s also very similar or has many of the same steps as some Latin rhythms. 

So here are a few of the most important ballroom dance vocabulary words in Spanish: 

English Spanish
ballroom danceel baile de salón
closed positionla posición cerrada
promenade positionla posición de paseo
shadow positionla posición de sombra
open positionla posición abierta
fallaway positionla posición de caída
skater’s positionla posición del patinador
challenge positionla posición de desafío
footworkel juego de pies
alignmentla alineación
line of dancela línea de baile
syncopationla síncopa

There are many different types of ballroom dance, so I chose this video for you to get an overall idea of the basic elements needed to dance all of them: 

Hip Hop Dance Vocabulary Words in Spanish

Hip Hop is a popular music style in the Spanish-speaking world, and as such, it has developed its own set of Spanish terms. 

Find out some of the most common hip hop dance vocabulary words in Spanish here: 

English Spanish
bassel bajo
snarela trampa
freestyleel estilo libre
trackla canción
microphone/micel micrófono
boothla cabina
vocalslas voces
double meaningel doble sentido
rapperel rapero / la rapera
undergroundclandestino
indieindependiente
barslas letras

Yes, there’s hip hop in Spanish and it’s spectacular! Take a look at this hip hop artist from Spain:  

Important Dance Phrases and Other Example Sentences

By now I have added plenty of words to your vocabulary. However, I still must give you some useful phrases to help next time you visit a dance club. 

Study the following list of dance phrases and you’ll master the world of dancing in Spanish: 

¡Una vez más!
One more time!

¡Desde el principio! 
From the top!

¡Mueve las caderas!
Move your hips!

¿Quieres bailar?
Do you want to dance?

¿Me concede esta pieza?
Can I have this dance?

¿Qué tipo de música te gusta bailar?
What kind of music do you like to dance?

Me gusta bailar salsa. 
I like to dance salsa.

No sé bailar tango.
I don’t know how to dance tango.

Let’s Practice Spanish! 

Did you know that Spanish can help you get a cool job in or outside of the United States? Interpreters and translators are among the top five fastest-growing occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with opportunities expected to increase by 46% between 2012 and 2022. 

Also, learning another language, like Spanish, can help you to make some serious money! According to a study conducted by The Economist, a person can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $125,000 extra just by knowing a foreign language alone. 

Yet the most amazing part of learning Spanish is being able to enjoy such a great collection of foreign media, like songs, movies, and even dances! You can enjoy dancing just by the rhythm, but when you understand the lyrics and the stories, it is a whole other level! 
So prepare your trip to Costa Rica and sign up for a free 1-to-1 class with a certified, native Spanish-speaking teacher at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Check out our programs and take a peek at our affordable prices and begin this new adventure with us!

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Luis F. Dominguez
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Luis F. Dominguez
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
Luis F. Domínguez is a freelance writer and independent journalist interested in travel, languages, art, books, history, philosophy, politics and sports. He has written for Fodor’s, Yahoo!, Sports Illustrated, Telemundo, and Villa Experience, among other brands of print and digital media in Europe and North America.
Luis F. Dominguez
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