tańczyć
/ˈtaɲ.t͡ʂɘt͡ɕ/imperfective
The English verb 'dance' is translated into Polish as tańczyć. If unsure, use tańczyć. Wiktionary also lists tańcować and pląsać.
Meaning: move rhythmically to music (verb)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tańczyć | /ˈtaɲ.t͡ʂɘt͡ɕ/ | imperfective |
| tańcować | /taɲˈt͡sɔ.vat͡ɕ/ | colloquial, dated, imperfective |
| pląsać | /ˈplɔw̃.sat͡ɕ/ /ˈplɔn.sat͡ɕ/ |
dated, imperfective |
All the provided verb forms mean to move rhythmically to music.
Which one should you use?
tańczyć is the standard and most common verb for 'to dance' in modern Polish. tańcować is a more colloquial or slightly dated version. pląsać is a dated term that often implies a more energetic, folk-style or wild dance.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tańczyć is the standard form. tańcować is considered colloquial or slightly dated. pląsać is a dated term.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun for 'a dance' or 'the dance' is taniec.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈtaɲ.tʂɘtɕ/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While tańczyć is the standard word, the related verb pląsać is often used metaphorically to describe a fire that is flickering or 'dancing' in the wind.
- The term tańcować traces its linguistic roots back to Vulgar Latin and Old French, following a path similar to many Western European dance terms.
- In a literary context, pląsać is the preferred term when a writer wants to evoke the spirit of ancient Slavic rituals or energetic communal festivities.
Examples in context
- Kto cię uczył tańczyć?Who taught you to dance?This sentence is useful for asking who taught someone the action of tańczyć.Tatoeba #1002576 by zipangu, translation #1042316 by yessoos
- Nie mam ochoty tańczyć.I have no desire to dance.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to tańczyć.Tatoeba #5985111 by jeedrek, translation #5795211 by CK
- Kto Cię nauczył tańczyć?Who taught you how to dance?This sentence is useful for asking how someone was taught to tańczyć.Tatoeba #4311864 by konrad509, translation #40487 by CK
- Kocham ten taniec.I love this dance.
- Ona uwielbia tańczyć.She loves to dance.
- Chcesz zatańczyć ze mną?Do you want to dance with me?
- Oczywiście! Uwielbiam tańczyć.Of course! I love to dance.
- Jakie są Twoje ulubione tańce?What are your favorite dances?
- Lubię wszystkie tańce, ale szczególnie interesuje mnie taniec nowoczesny.I like all dances, but I'm particularly interested in modern dance.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a party, Tomasz approaches Agnieszka.
- TomaszAgnieszko, czy chcesz tańczyć?Agnieszka, do you want to dance?
- AgnieszkaChętnie potańczę, Tomaszu.I would love to dance, Tomasz.
- TomaszTa muzyka jest wspaniała.This music is wonderful.
- AgnieszkaTak, bawię się świetnie.Yes, I am having a great time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dance” translations and entries tańczyć, tańcować, pląsać, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pląsać, tańcować, tańczyć, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
