Dance in different languages

Dance in Different Languages

Discover 'Dance' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Dance: a simple word, yet it holds a profound significance in our lives. It is a universal language that transcends borders and connects us all. From the rhythmic beats of African tribal dances to the elegant pirouettes of ballet, dance has been an integral part of every culture, playing a crucial role in storytelling, celebration, and self-expression. It's not just about moving your body to the beat; it's about communicating emotions, sharing traditions, and fostering community spirit.

Given its cultural importance, it's no surprise that the word 'dance' has been translated into various languages, each with its unique nuances and connotations. For instance, in Spanish, dance translates to 'baile', in French - 'danse', in German - 'Tanz', in Russian - 'танец' (tants), and in Japanese - 'ダンス' (dansu).

Exploring these translations offers a fascinating glimpse into how different cultures perceive and engage with this art form. So, let's delve deeper into the world of dance in different languages!

Dance

Dance in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansdans
"Dans" is the Afrikaans word for "dance" and is derived from either the French word "danser" or the Dutch word "dansen".
Amharicዳንስ
The word 'ዳንስ' is likely of Ge’ez origin, possibly from 'ደንደሰ', meaning 'to stomp'.
Hausarawa
The word 'rawa' in Hausa can also mean 'a dance party' or 'a dance competition'.
Igboagba egwu
"Agba egwu" also means "to play" or "to perform" in Igbo.
Malagasymandihy
The Malagasy word "mandihy" can also mean a "song" or a "story", emphasizing the interconnectedness of these forms of oral tradition in Malagasy culture.
Nyanja (Chichewa)kuvina
The Nyanja word "kuvina" can also refer to a type of dance performed by women.
Shonakutamba
Kutamba in Shona means 'to gather', which is why it is now more commonly used to refer to a gathering with music and dancing.
Somalidheelid
The term "dheelid" can also refer to a specific type of traditional Somali music.
Sesothomotjeko
The word "motjeko" also means "a small bundle of grass used for thatching" in Sesotho.
Swahilikucheza
The Swahili word 'kucheza' not only means 'to dance' but also carries the broader connotation of 'to play' or 'to have fun'.
Xhosaumdaniso
"UmDaniso" (dance) derives from the verb "ukudanisa" (to cause to dance), which also means "to shake" or "to move rapidly."
Yorubaijó
The Yorùbá word "ijó" can also refer to a "dance festival" or a "dance troupe."
Zuluumdanso
"Umdanso" is also used to refer to a traditional Zulu dance accompanied by singing and drumming.
Bambaradɔ̀n
Eweɖu ɣe
Kinyarwandakubyina
Lingalakobina
Lugandaokuzina
Sepeditantsha
Twi (Akan)sa

Dance in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالرقص
The word "رقص" in Arabic also means "swaying" or "jerking".
Hebrewלִרְקוֹד
"רקד" in Hebrew comes from a word for a type of grape vine and means to step lightly and spring.
Pashtoنڅا
The word "نڅا" derives from Old Iranian and has cognates in other Indo-European languages like Sanskrit "nṛtya-" (dance).
Arabicالرقص
The word "رقص" in Arabic also means "swaying" or "jerking".

Dance in Western European Languages

Albanianvallëzimi
The word "Vallëzimi" in Albanian is derived from the Latin word "valsalia" meaning a dance movement or a ballroom dance
Basquedantza
The word "dantza" comes from an Indo-European root meaning "shake" or "vibrate".
Catalandansa
In Catalan, the word "dansa" also refers to a type of traditional music, often played on the flabiol (a wooden flute) and accompanied by a drum.
Croatianples
The word 'ples' can also refer to the venue where dancing takes place in Croatian.
Danishdans
In Danish, "dans" can also refer to a specific type of folk dance performed by couples.
Dutchdans
The Dutch word "dans" (dance) has alternate archaic meanings such as "a path", "a journey", and "a way".
Englishdance
The word 'dance' originates from the Old French word 'danser', which in turn derives from the Late Latin verb 'dantiare', meaning 'to beat time'.
Frenchdanse
The word "danse" comes from the Old French word "danser", which in turn comes from the Latin word "saltare", meaning "to jump".
Frisiandûnsje
The word "dûnsje" may derive from "dînsje" ("to rush, dart"), or via Old Frisian and Old Saxon from Proto-Germanic "dinsan" ("to strike, swing")
Galiciandanza
In Galician, "danza" also refers to a type of folk dance from the region.
Germantanzen
"Tanzen" can be traced back to the Middle High German word "tenzen", meaning "to stretch" or "to spin."
Icelandicdans
Icelandic 'dans' means 'dance,' whereas French 'dans', from Latin deintus, means 'inside'.
Irishdamhsa
The word "damhsa" can mean either "dance" or "a game" in Irish.
Italiandanza
The word 'danza' comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *dens-, meaning 'to stretch' or 'to move rhythmically'.
Luxembourgishdanzen
The word "danzen" also refers to the act of moving rhythmically to music, especially in a celebratory or social context.
Malteseżfin
"Żfin" has an Arabic etymology and also means "to jump" in Maltese.
Norwegiandanse
The word "danse" in Norwegian originated from the French word "danse" and the old Norse word "dans"
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)dança
In Brazil, "dançar" can also refer to a specific traditional music and dance style from the state of Minas Gerais.
Scots Gaelicdannsa
The Scots Gaelic word "dannsa" also refers to a specific type of Highland dance performed at weddings and other celebrations.
Spanishdanza
In Italian, "danza" originally meant "tension", "stretching", or "strain".
Swedishdansa
Dansa (dance) is cognate with English dance and Norwegian dans, and is derived from Old Norse dans, meaning 'dance'.
Welshdawns
In Welsh, the word "dawns" can also mean "beginning" or "origin"

Dance in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianтанцаваць
"Танцаваць" derives from a word meaning "beat time" and is related to words meaning "thunder" and "knock".
Bosnianples
The word "ples" can also refer to a song that accompanies a dance.
Bulgarianтанц
The word "танц" in Bulgarian comes from the Old Church Slavonic word "тънецъ", which means "step" or "motion".
Czechtanec
The word "tanec" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *teth-," which means "to beat" or "to thresh."
Estoniantantsima
The Estonian word "tantsima" has also been used to refer to the art of fencing
Finnishtanssi
The word "tanssi" also means "to dance" in Estonian, and is related to the Latin word "tenere" meaning "to hold".
Hungariantánc
The word "tánc" also means "row" or "order" in Hungarian.
Latviandejot
The Latvian word "dejot" has Indo-European roots and is cognate with the Sanskrit "damsu" and the Greek "demō," both of which refer to "dancing".
Lithuanianšokis
The word "šokis" in Lithuanian originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *k̂ei-, meaning "to jump" or "to hop".
Macedonianтанцување
The word "танцување" in Macedonian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *tantь, meaning "to stretch".
Polishtaniec
The word "taniec" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *tantьcь, which is of unknown origin.
Romaniandans
The Romanian word for dance, dans, derives from the French word danse, ultimately coming from the Latin saltare, meaning "to jump".
Russianтанцевать
The word "танцевать" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *tьnčiti, meaning "to stretch". It is related to the English word "tense" and the Latin word "tendere", meaning "to stretch" or "to strain". This suggests that the original meaning of "танцевать" was "to move rhythmically", rather than specifically "to dance".
Serbianплес
The word "плес" is also used in Russia to denote a wide part of a river.
Slovaktancovať
The etymological root of "tancovať" is from the Proto-Slavic word *tǫkati, meaning "to strike, pound".
Slovenianples
The word 'ples' in Slovenian ultimately derives from Proto-Indo-European root *plē- 'to fill, be full', and is related to the words 'plenty' and 'plenitude'.
Ukrainianтанцювати
In Ukrainian,

Dance in South Asian Languages

Bengaliনাচ
The word "নাচ" (dance) in Bengali shares an etymological root with "naṭya" (drama) in Sanskrit.
Gujaratiનૃત્ય
The word "નૃત્ય" is derived from the Sanskrit word "nritya", which means "to dance" or "to move rhythmically". It can also refer to a specific type of Indian classical dance, typically performed by women.
Hindiनृत्य
The word "नृत्य" is also used in Hindi to refer to a type of religious ritual dance, typically performed in temples or other sacred spaces.
Kannadaನೃತ್ಯ
In Kannada, the word "ನೃತ್ಯ" (dance) can also mean "a graceful movement or gesture".
Malayalamനൃത്തം
The word 'നൃത്തം' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'नृत्' meaning 'to dance', and also refers to a specific type of Indian classical dance.
Marathiनृत्य
The word "नृत्य" (dance) in Marathi originates from the Sanskrit word "नृत्त" (movement, dance), which is derived from the root "नृत्" (to dance).
Nepaliनृत्य
The word "नृत्य" (dance) in Nepali is derived from the Sanskrit word "नृत्त" (dance), which in turn comes from the root "नृत्" (to dance).
Punjabiਨਾਚ
The word "ਨਾਚ" (naach) in Punjabi is derived from Sanskrit "nṛtya", meaning "to act" or "to gesture," suggesting its origins in theatrical performances.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)නර්තනය
"නර්තනය" comes from the Sanskrit word "නෘත" meaning "to leap or jump". In Sinhala, it can also refer to a religious ceremony or ritual.
Tamilநடனம்
The Tamil word நடனம் derives from the root 'nat' meaning 'to make a pleasing sound', hinting at the harmonious rhythms associated with dance.
Teluguనృత్యం
The word "నృత్యం" can also refer to a specific group of eight types of Indian classical dance described in the Natyashastra.
Urduرقص
The word "رقص" in Urdu originated from the Persian word "رقص" meaning "to make a dance movement."

Dance in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)舞蹈
In ancient Chinese, 舞蹈 was also used to describe a type of military formation used to intimidate the enemy.
Chinese (Traditional)舞蹈
舞蹈, as a noun, also means "choreography" or "dance movement".
Japaneseダンス
The word "ダンス" (dance) in Japanese is derived from the English word "dance", but it can also refer to a specific type of Japanese music with a strong beat.
Korean댄스
The word 댄스 (dance) in Korean can refer to the physical activity or the musical genre, as in English.
Mongolianбүжиглэх
The Mongolian word "бүжиглэх" can refer to both dancing and juggling.
Myanmar (Burmese)ကခုန်
"ကခုန်" can also mean "to move around actively", "to be busy", or "to have fun".

Dance in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmenari
The word "menari" in Indonesian originates from the Sanskrit word "nrt" meaning "to leap" or "to move rhythmically".
Javanesejoget
The word "joget" in Javanese is derived from the Sanskrit word "yoga", meaning "union" and "to join", and it refers to a traditional Javanese dance that is characterized by its graceful and fluid movements.
Khmerរាំ
The word "រាំ" ("dance") in Khmer comes from the Sanskrit word "राम्" (rām), meaning "to play" or "to frolic."
Laoເຕັ້ນ
The word "ເຕັ້ນ" in Lao can also be used to refer to a type of traditional dance performed by young Lao women during courtship.
Malaymenari
"Menari" also derives from "tari" (dance) from Sanskrit and can mean to behave or to play (an instrument or game).
Thaiเต้นรำ
เต้นรำ derives from Sanskrit त्रि ताल, or 'tri tāla': 'three' + 'rhythm'.
Vietnamesenhảy
The word "nhảy" also means to "jump" or "leap".
Filipino (Tagalog)sayaw

Dance in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanirəqs edin
The word "rəqs edin" is derived from the Persian word "raqs", which means "dance" or "to dance."
Kazakhби
The word "би" can also mean "to jump" or "to leap" in Kazakh.
Kyrgyzбийлөө
The word "бийлөө" is derived from the verb "бий" (to jump, to leap), and shares a common root with the word "бий" (leader, chief).
Tajikрақс кардан
The word "рақс кардан" can also mean "to shake" or "to move rhythmically" in Tajik.
Turkmentans ediň
Uzbekraqs
"Raqs" can also mean "joyful" or "happy" in Uzbek.
Uyghurئۇسسۇل

Dance in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhulahula
In Hawaiian, the word 'hula' can also refer to a type of spiritual chant and prayer.
Maorikanikani
In Maori, 'kanikani' can also refer to any form of lively or vigorous movement, including sports, games, or even certain types of work.
Samoansiva
The word "siva" can also refer to a specific type of dance performed by a group of men or women.
Tagalog (Filipino)sayaw
The word "sayaw" in Tagalog also means "movement" or "swaying".

Dance in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarathuqhu
Guaranijeroky

Dance in International Languages

Esperantodanci
Although "danci" means "dance", it can also refer to any rhythmical movement of the body.
Latinexultant lusibus
The Latin phrase "exultant lusibus" translates as "leaping joyfully" in English.

Dance in Others Languages

Greekχορός
The Greek word "χορός" can also refer to a specific type of traditional Greek folk dance performed in a circle.
Hmongkev seev cev
Kev seev cev has a similar meaning to the word "move" and is composed of two smaller words "kev seev" (to move your body) and "cev" (to turn).
Kurdishdans
Dans is a loanword from French meaning 'dance', and is also a colloquial word for 'party'.
Turkishdans
The word "dans" in Turkish also has the alternate meaning of "a kind of tax collected on animals or livestock".
Xhosaumdaniso
"UmDaniso" (dance) derives from the verb "ukudanisa" (to cause to dance), which also means "to shake" or "to move rapidly."
Yiddishטאַנצן
The Yiddish word "טאַנצן" (dance) is derived from the Germanic "dansen," the French "danser," or the Romanian "ţintari"
Zuluumdanso
"Umdanso" is also used to refer to a traditional Zulu dance accompanied by singing and drumming.
Assameseনৃত্য
Aymarathuqhu
Bhojpuriनाच
Dhivehiނެށުން
Dogriडांस
Filipino (Tagalog)sayaw
Guaranijeroky
Ilocanosala
Kriodans
Kurdish (Sorani)سەما
Maithiliनाच
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯖꯒꯣꯏ
Mizolam
Oromoshubbisa
Odia (Oriya)ନୃତ୍ୟ
Quechuatusuy
Sanskritनृत्यं
Tatarбию
Tigrinyaሳዕስዒት
Tsongacina

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