dançar
/dɐ̃ˈsa(ʁ)/
The English verb 'dance' is translated into Portuguese as dançar. If unsure, use dançar. Wiktionary also lists bailar.
Meaning: move rhythmically to music (verb)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| dançar | /dɐ̃ˈsa(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /dɐ̃ˈsa(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
| bailar | /bajˈla(ʁ)/ (Brazil) /bajˈla(ɾ)/ (São Paulo) |
The primary meaning is to move rhythmically to music. You can also use the related nouns dança, which refers to the dance itself as an art form or a specific sequence of movements and baile, which refers to a dance party or ball.
Which one should you use?
While dançar is the most common and general verb for 'to dance', bailar is often used in more formal, artistic or classical contexts, such as ballet. For nouns, dança refers to the dance itself as an art form or sequence of movements, whereas baile refers to the social event or dance party.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word dança can also function as the third person singular present indicative form of dançar (e.g., 'she dances').
How do you pronounce it?
/dɐ̃ˈsa(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- In some Portuguese contexts, dançar can be used as slang for failing a test or ruining a plan, similar to saying 'to mess up' in English.
- In Portugal, a baile can refer to a formal ball, but in Brazil, it is also used to describe a 'Baile Funk', a gritty, urban street party with a very different social atmosphere.
- When describing a professional dancer in a classical context, the term bailarino is used for men and bailarina for women, rather than using the generic dançarino.
Examples in context
- Ela o viu dançar.She watched him dance.This sentence uses dançar to show someone watching another person dance.Tatoeba #6698043 by KimiP, translation #887575 by CK
- Eu não vou dançar.I won't dance.This sentence uses dançar to express a refusal to dance.Tatoeba #4814923 by bill, translation #2247627 by CK
- Nós a vimos dançar.We saw her dance.This sentence uses dançar to show seeing a female person dance.Tatoeba #4545029 by carlosalberto, translation #249287 by CK
- 163 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a party, Juliana asks Felipe to join her on the floor.
- JulianaFelipe, você quer dançar comigo?Felipe, do you want to dance with me?
- FelipeEu adoraria, Juliana.I would love to, Juliana.
- JulianaEssa música é ótima para dançar.This music is great for dancing.
- FelipeSim, vamos dançar!Yes, let's dance!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dance” translations and entries dançar, bailar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
