Tango terminology

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Hints & Myths about Argentine Tango

The Tango dance has hundreds of moves and positions, each with variations; many have specific names; many, including giros and boleos, were invented or reworked by Petroleo in the 1940s.

Here are descriptions of some of them; one day we'll add photographs - or video clips!

Senor Tango

adornos:

any of the many decorations that can be used to enhance the appearance of a step

alteration:

a move in which the direction of a move is altered during its execution

arrastre:

a move in which, usually, the leader's foot actually drags the follower's foot into a new position

barrida:

any move in which one partner's foot appears to push or pull the other's foot along the floor as they make a step together

boleo:

any move in which the follower's free leg appears to whip energetically across her in front or behind her weighted leg

cadena:

a repetitive sequence of moves in which the couple each execute a series of - usually four - similar moves in a chain around each other

calesita:

a move in which the follower is drawn to lean forward balanced on one foot while the leader walks, forwards or backwards , in a tight circle around her

colgada

a move in which the two partners move their torsos apart and turn together on the same axis while remaining vertical

caminita

the famous Tango walk

corrida:

a "little run" in which the dancers take three short double-time steps so the feet appear to run while the bodies continue to move at the same pace

corte:

a move which is cut part way through

cortina:

at a milonga, a short piece of non-tango music played between tandas to refresh the dance floor so waiters can serve tables and new couples form

crusada:

a position in which the free foot is crossed just in front, or just behind, of the axis foot

enrosque:

a pivot in which one leg is crossed in front of the other

gancho:

any move in which one or both partner's lower legs seem to hook around the other's thigh

giro:

any turn, but more usually refers to a sequence, invented by Petroleo, of backward, side, forward, and side steps around the leader; ocho derecha rotates the follower to the right while ocho izquierda rotates her to the left

lapiz:

any position where one or other partner appears to draw circles or other patterns on the floor with their toe

llevada:

a move similar to the barrida but with slightly raised feet

milonga:

can refer to any tango dance event or to the primitive form of tango danced to the tum; ti-tum,tum 4:4 milonga beat.

mordida:

a position in which one partner's foot is sandwiched between both feet of the other

ocho:

a sequence made from alternate forward ("ocho adelante" or backward for "ocho atras") steps and pivots executed in front of the leader so the follower's steps make a figure eight pattern on the floor

ocho abierto:

planeo:

salon tango:

a close style of tango with small-scale delicate moves, popularised in the mass milongas of the 1930s and 1940s in downtown Buenos Aires

trabada:

Explore and enjoy!