How to Say "Dancing" in Japanese

ダンス

dansu[dã̠ɰ̃sɨ]

In Japanese, the English phrase "dancing" is translated as ダンス (dansu).

ダンス is used to refer to the activity of dancing, typically in the context of Western-style social or choreographed dance forms.

Meaning: activity of dancing (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word ダンス is a loanword from the English word "dance," written using the Katakana script, which is used in Japanese for foreign loanwords.

While ダンス refers to Western-style dance, you should use 踊り (odori) when referring to traditional Japanese dance styles.

dansu

Japanese has a unique term 舞い (mai) for a specific type of traditional dancing that focuses on slow, circular movements, distinguishing it from the more rhythmic 踊り (odori).
Traditional Japanese 'dancing' often involves a specific gesture of sliding the feet across the floor without lifting them, a technique that contrasts with the steps found in Western ダンス.
The verb 踊る (odoru) can also be used metaphorically to describe a way or a manner of behaving, such as 'dancing to someone's tune'.

ダンスは好きですか。
Do you like dancing?
This example is useful for asking about someone's preferences regarding ダンス.
Tatoeba #203074 by bunbuku, translation #40311 by CK
トムはダンスがしたかった。
Tom felt like dancing.
This example shows how to express a desire to do ダンス.
Tatoeba #8661075 by small_snow, translation #1025785 by CK
彼女は八歳のときにダンスを始めた。
She started dancing when she was eight.
This example demonstrates the use of ダンス when discussing the start of an activity.
Tatoeba #93493 by bunbuku, translation #310215 by CK
Watashi wa yoru no pātī de odorimasu. (私は夜のパーティーで踊ります。)
I will dance at the evening party.
11 more sentences on Tatoeba

陽太 and 結衣 are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.

陽太 Yota

結衣さんはダンスが趣味ですか。
Yui-san wa dansu ga shumi desu ka.
Is dancing your hobby, Yui?
結衣 Yui

はい、ダンスの練習をしています。
Hai, dansu no renshū o shite imasu.
Yes, I am practicing dancing.
陽太 Yota

すごいですね。かっこいいです。
Sugoi desu ne. Kakkoii desu.
That's amazing. It's cool.
結衣 Yui

ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you very much.

Sources

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