English
From llevar - to transport; a carry; to take with: Occurs when the man uses the upper thigh or foot to “carry” the lady’s leg to the next step Barridas interspersed with walking steps in which the man takes the lady with him across the floor
word with several meanings It refers to somebody or something from the slums i e low class It also describes a gathering where people from the slums dance.
The Spanish/Italian slang of the Buenos Aires underworld which is common in tango lyrics and terminology
From lustrar - to shine or polish; the shoe shine: A stroking of the man’s pant leg with a shoe May be done by the lady or by the man to himself but is never done to the lady
From Marque; to plot a course; guide: To lead La marca is the lead
Half moon: A sweeping circular motion of the leg similar to a ronde in ballroom but always danced in contact with the floor never lofted Usually danced by the lady and often led with a sacada to the lady’s leg May be used to bring the lady to an inside ...
Half turn literally: Usually done when the man’s right foot and the lady’s left foot are free The man steps forward outside right (3 of 8-count basic) leading the lady to step back left and collect then side right across his center and forward left aroun ...
May refer to the music written in 2/4 time or to the dance which preceded the tango or to the dance salon where people go to dance tango or to a tango dance and party
Refers to those frequenting the milongas from the early 1900s to the present who were or are tango fanatics A person whose life revolves around dancing tango and the philosophy of tango A title given by other tango dancers to a man (woman) who has maste ...
A step in which the man leads the lady to step side left around him reverses before she completes the step and leads her back into the cross Also known as ochos cortados
A term originally given by Europeans and some North Americans to the style of dancing in a very close embrace; also referred to as confiteria style club style apilado style etc Usually used in the very crowded clubs frequented by singles in the center of ...
Questionably an affectionate diminutive for the milonga Milonguita is also a name used for the young girls brought from eastern Europe and France (Madame Yvonne) with the promise to marry a rich Argentinean or the poor girls from the conventillos all of ...
Windmill; wheel: A figure in which the lady dances a grapevine on a circumference around the man stepping side-back-side-forward using forward and back ocho technique and footwork as the man pivots at the center of the figure This is a very common figure ...
An exciting and more complicated form of molinete in which the man steps into the lady’s space displacing her leg with his and pivots on a new center to face her as she continues around him Many combinations are possible
From morder: to bite; the little bite: One partner’s foot is sandwiched or trapped between the other partner’s feet If the other partner’s feet are also crossed it may be referred to as Reverse Mordida Sometimes called Sandwiche or Sanguchito
A variation of mordida in which a dancer catches a partners knee between both of their own
Eight (pl ochos); Figure eights: A crossing and pivoting figure from which the fan in American tango is derived Executed as a walking step with flexed knees and feet together while pivoting ochos may be danced either forward or backward and are so desig ...
Cut eight: change of direction: Occurs when a molinete or an ocho-like movement is stopped and sent back upon itself Typical in club-style tango where many such brakes are used to avoid collisions Describes a movement done on either foot pivoting forwar ...