Ballet terminology Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

In classical ballet, port de bras translates from French as carriage of the arms. This term describes how dancers move their arms through specific positions to maintain balance and enhance artistic expression. It involves fluid transitions that must coordinate with the head and torso. Mastering these movements is essential for achieving the graceful aesthetic and technical precision required in formal dance performances across all skill levels.

The term attitude describes a fundamental ballet position inspired by the famous sixteenth century statue of Mercury by Giambologna. In this pose, the dancer balances on one supporting leg while the other is raised and bent at the knee, typically at a right angle. This versatile movement can be performed to the front, side, or back, emphasizing a graceful, curved line rather than a straight extension.

The term balancé originates from the French word meaning to rock or sway. This foundational ballet movement mimics the three-beat rhythm of a waltz. A dancer typically steps to the side, crosses one foot behind, and then shifts weight back to the front foot. It is frequently used as a transitional step to move across the stage or change direction during classical dance routines.

The term croisé is a fundamental position in classical ballet that creates a specific visual line for the audience. It is one of the basic body directions involving the placement of the head and shoulders. In this position, the dancer stands at an angle so their legs appear crossed. This orientation adds depth and three-dimensionality to the dancer’s silhouette during traditional choreographic sequences.

Fondu is derived from the French verb fondre, which translates to melt. In classical dance, this movement involves a controlled bending of the supporting leg while the working leg typically moves simultaneously. This exercise builds essential strength and control for soft landings during jumps. Mastering the fondu is critical for achieving the fluid and continuous quality of movement that characterizes professional ballet technique and performance.

The term frappé originates from the French verb meaning to strike. This fundamental ballet movement is typically practiced at the barre to improve speed and foot precision. By striking the ball of the foot against the floor, dancers build the necessary strength and sharp reflexes required for complex jumps. This exercise helps develop the explosive power vital for advanced fast sequences in classical dance performances.

The term plié derives from the French word meaning to bend. It serves as a foundational movement in classical ballet training, providing the necessary elasticity for jumps and turns. Dancers perform this action in two primary forms including the demi-plié, a shallow bend, and the grand-plié, a deep bend. This technique helps absorb impact during landings and maintains joint flexibility throughout a performance.

The term echappe is a French word that literally translates to escaped in English, describing the motion of feet sliding or jumping apart. This fundamental ballet step usually moves from a closed position like fifth to an open one like second. It occurs as either a jump or a smooth movement on the tips of the toes. This technique is a staple of classical training.

The term Assemblé originates from a French verb meaning to bring together. In classical ballet, this jump requires the dancer to brush one foot along the floor while pushing off with the other. The legs then meet in the air before a controlled landing on both feet. This fundamental step is frequently utilized during fast sequences to demonstrate precision, coordination, and upward elevation in theatrical performances.

Tendu is short for battement tendu and translates to stretched beat in French. This essential movement serves as a primary foundation for more complex ballet steps by building foot strength and control. Dancers maintain constant contact with the floor to develop the necessary muscular tension. Most ballet vocabulary originated in the seventeenth-century French court, providing a universal language for performers across the entire world today.

Changement is a fundamental classical ballet movement where a dancer jumps vertically from the fifth position. While in the air, the dancer quickly switches the position of their feet before landing back in the fifth position with the opposite foot in front. The term translates from French as change of feet. This exercise belongs to the category of small jumps, focusing on vertical power and precision.

A fouetté is a classical ballet movement where the dancer executes a quick whipping motion with the working leg to create rotational momentum. This demanding technique requires immense core strength and precise balance on the supporting leg. Pierina Legnani first introduced thirty-two consecutive turns during an 1895 performance of Swan Lake, establishing a standard of technical virtuosity that remains a highlight of the repertoire today.

In classical ballet, the term relevé describes the motion of lifting the body by rising onto the balls of the feet or the tips of the toes. This foundational movement strengthens the calf muscles and ankles while improving overall balance. Dancers often perform this action starting from a bent knee position, known as a plié, to generate the power needed for more complex sequences.

A pirouette is a classical ballet movement meaning to whirl in French. Dancers execute this 360-degree rotation on a single leg while balanced on the ball of the foot or the tip of a toe. To maintain balance, performers use a technique called spotting by focusing on a fixed point. The working leg is typically held with the knee bent during this spinning action.

The grand jeté is a fundamental movement in classical ballet that translates from French as large throw. This athletic leap requires a dancer to propel themselves into the air, extending their legs into a complete horizontal split before landing on the opposite foot. Mastery of this technique demands significant leg strength and core stability to achieve the appearance of weightless suspension during the mid-air transition.

The glissade is a foundational ballet movement derived from the French verb glisser, which means to glide. Often used as a linking step, it connects different movements or provides the necessary momentum for larger jumps. Dancers perform it by sliding one foot from a closed position into a small leap. This technique can be executed in any direction to maintain a fluid transition between steps.

The pas de bourrée originated from seventeenth-century French folk dances before becoming a fundamental movement in classical ballet. It consists of three quick steps used to link larger movements or change dancer positioning on stage. While typically performed in a back, side, and front sequence, several stylistic variations exist. This versatile transition helps performers maintain fluid momentum between complex leaps and technical turns.

Derived from the French word for unfolded, a developpe is a fundamental ballet movement emphasizing control and balance. The dancer lifts their working leg to the knee before slowly extending it into the air in any direction. This technique requires significant core strength to maintain stability while the limb moves. It is commonly featured in slow musical sequences to demonstrate a dancer’s physical grace.

The rond de jambe is a fundamental ballet movement translating from French as round of the leg. Dancers perform it either on the floor or in the air to develop hip flexibility and control. The motion is executed in two directions: en dehors, meaning outward, and en dedans, meaning inward. It is essential for building classical strength, balance, and precision during training.

Originating in the French school of ballet, the pas de chat mimics the movement of a feline. Dancers execute this jump by springing into the air and pulling each leg up with bent knees in a quick, consecutive motion. This step is common in classical allegro work, which involves fast and lively movements, and demonstrates both lightness and athletic precision within professional stage performances.

The arabesque is a fundamental ballet position that creates a long, continuous line from the fingertips to the toes. Its name originates from a French term describing a Moorish style of ornament. While the supporting leg carries the weight of the performer, the other leg remains straight behind the body. Different schools of dance define specific arm placements to complement this standard dance posture.