R – tango, dictionary of terms
Rabona play hookey
A series of steps in which the free foot is crossed
across the supporting leg in a cruzada, repeated on each beat.
Resolución resolution
The finale (steps 6, 7 and 8) to the eight basic pattern.
Ritmo rhythm
The rhythmic structure of the music.
Ronda round
This is the outer-most lane where dancers move
counter-clockwise around the perimeter of the floor - in most milongas this is
right up against the tables, and dancers in the ronda have the right-of-way.
Rulo circle
An embellishment executed by drawing one or more circles
on the floor with the free leg, either as part of a movement or during a pause
in dancing.
S – tango, dictionary of terms
Sacada take out
A displacement of the woman’s free leg - when the leader
places their foot or leg against the leg of their partner, transfers the weight
to their own leg, and moves into the space of their partner’s leg.
Salida beginning
The first steps of the dance or step.
Saltito small hop
A tango step in which either the lead or follower (rarely
both) execute a small hop on the floor.
Sándwiche sandwich
To sandwich a partner's foot between your own.
Sánduche / Sánguchito sandwich
Same as Sándwiche
Seguidilla merry dance
Tiny quick steps.
Seguir to follow
Following the lead: this is considered an exquisite
art-form in tango.
Sentada sit
An embellishment executed by the follower mounting, or
appearing to mount, the lead's supporting leg. It is sometimes used as a
dramatic embellishment at the end of the dance.
Show Tango
The term used for exhibition and competitive tango
dancing characterized by a choreographed performance.
Suave smooth
Smooth, steady and a very chic style. Considered a
critical goal to attain in tango, particularly for the lead.
Sube y Baja raise and
lower
A milonga sequence in which lead and follower dance first
forwards with chest turned in towards each other, then backwards with chest
turned out towards each other.
Syncopation
A subdivision of a beat caused typically by stressing the
weak beat rather than the accent. In Spanish: sincopado.
T – tango, dictionary of terms
Tanda group
A set of dance music which can be either three, four or
five songs, separated by a cortina.
Tango de Salon
An inclusive term for the tango style danced at 'salons'
(ballrooms) - in other words, milonga halls. It is characterized more by a wide
variation than by a specific position; it is the style owned, practiced and
shaped by the collective masses on the floor.
Tanguero
Someone who is passionate about tango.
Tijera scissors
A step in which the free leg is crossed in front of the
supporting leg, and left there, so that it may be used for the next step.
Titubeo hesitation
Same as pausa
Trabada connected
Same as cruzada
Traspié trip, stumble
A sequence of steps which are syncopated. For example
milonga traspie indicates a form of milonga in which the dancers step between
the beats.
Truco trick
Tricks or stunts, particularly in Show Tango.
V – tango, dictionary of terms
Vals waltz
Argentine tango form of waltz in 3/4 beat.
Vareador one who beats
with a pole
A lead who flirts with all the followers but does not get
seriously involved with any of them.
Víbora viper
The man places his right leg between the woman's legs,
and takes a sacada to her left and her right in succession using a back and
forth action.
Volcada capsize
The leader causes the follower to lean forward and drop
from her axis before he catches her. Generally this also involves sweeping the
follower's leg as a result of the off-axis motion.
Voleo
Same as boleo
Z – tango, dictionary of terms
Zapatazo stamp of the
foot
An embellishment in which the shoes are tapped together.
Zarandeo shaking
Swinging back-and-forth or pivoting one the same place.
