danser
/dɑ̃.se/
The French phrase for 'to dance' is danser.
The verb danser is used to express the act of moving your body rhythmically to music. For the noun form, meaning 'the dance' or 'dancing', you use la danse.
Which one should you use?
While danser is the standard way to say 'to dance', you might encounter other expressions depending on the context. effectuer une danse is used specifically for formal or structured dance performances. In contrast, se déhancher is an informal way to describe dancing with rhythmic movements, particularly focused on moving the hips.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first and third person singular present indicative forms of danser are danse. To express that something has been danced, use the past participle dansé.
How do you pronounce it?
danser has two syllables and is pronounced /dɑ̃.se/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'ball' actually comes from the Old French verb baller, which was once the primary way to say 'to dance' before danser became the standard.
- The French expression danser sous la pluie is frequently used in literature and film to symbolize a romantic or rebellious defiance of circumstance.
- The French language possesses the specific verb se déhancher, which allows a speaker to indicate hip-focused movement without needing to use any descriptive adjectives.
Examples in context
- Il a peur de danser.He's afraid to dance.Tatoeba #2264057 by sacredceltic, translation #2239017 by Hybrid
- Tom sait-il danser ?Does Tom know how to dance?Tatoeba #4598580 by Amastan, translation #3514306 by CK
- Je sais déjà danser.I already know how to dance.Tatoeba #5798073 by Toynop, translation #5797468 by CK
- Il est toujours agréable de danser lors des soirées élégantes.It is always enjoyable to dance at elegant soirées.
- Les danseurs professionnels vont effectuer une danse classique ce soir.The professional dancers will perform a classical dance tonight.
- On va sortir ce soir, faire la fête et danser toute la nuit !We're going out tonight, partying, and dancing all night long!
- Lorsqu'elle entend sa chanson préférée, elle se déhanche comme personne.When she hears her favorite song, she dances like nobody else.
- Je danse chaque mercredi dans mon club de danse.I dance every Wednesday at my dance club.
- Nous faisons la fête et nous dansons toute la nuit lors des mariages.We party and dance all night long at weddings.
- Elle a remporté de nombreux prix en effectuant une danse contemporaine.She has won many awards performing contemporary dance.
- Je me déhanche lorsque j'écoute de la musique entraînante.I sway my hips when I listen to catchy music.
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are at a wedding party.
- NathanEst-ce que tu veux danser ?Do you want to dance?
- EmmaOui, j'adore danser !Yes, I love to dance!
- NathanOn peut danser ensemble alors.We can dance together then.
- EmmaC'est parti, allons danser !Let's go, let's dance!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry danser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries danser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
