{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:15:16+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-12-29T15:22:02+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:58+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Performing Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33747"},"slug":"performing-arts","categoryId":33747},{"name":"Dance","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33748"},"slug":"dance","categoryId":33748}],"title":"Important Ballet Terms to Know","strippedTitle":"important ballet terms to know","slug":"important-ballet-terms-to-know","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Whether you're practicing ballet in the studio or dancing ballet for a performance, it's important to know the lingo. The following list shows some basic ballet","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Whether you're practicing ballet in the studio or dancing ballet for a performance, it's important to know the lingo. The following list shows some basic ballet terms with pronunciation guides, as well, because almost all of them are French:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Battement tendu</em> (bat-MAHN tahn-DUE):</strong> Brushing out your leg along the floor and pointing your foot. It also can be done lifting your legs to various heights, to the front, side, and back (also known as <em>arabesque</em>).</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>En pointe</em> (ahn PWANT or on point):</strong> Balancing on the tips of your toes (for women only). This is achieved by wearing special <em>pointe</em> shoes.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Grand jeté</em> (GRAHN juh-TAY):</strong> A forward jump with a split.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Pas de deux</em> (PAH duh DEUH):</strong> A dance for two.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Pirouette</em> (pee-roo-ET):</strong> A turn or series of multiple turns.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Plié </em>(plee-AY):</strong> Bending your knees. This can be a small or big bend, on one leg or two.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Port de bras</em> (POR duh BRAH):</strong> Movement of your arms and upper body.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Sauté </em>(soh-TAY):</strong> A small jump on two legs, landing on both legs.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Tutu:</strong> A ballerina's skirt, sticking straight out from the hips like a pizza.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","description":"Whether you're practicing ballet in the studio or dancing ballet for a performance, it's important to know the lingo. The following list shows some basic ballet terms with pronunciation guides, as well, because almost all of them are French:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Battement tendu</em> (bat-MAHN tahn-DUE):</strong> Brushing out your leg along the floor and pointing your foot. It also can be done lifting your legs to various heights, to the front, side, and back (also known as <em>arabesque</em>).</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>En pointe</em> (ahn PWANT or on point):</strong> Balancing on the tips of your toes (for women only). This is achieved by wearing special <em>pointe</em> shoes.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Grand jeté</em> (GRAHN juh-TAY):</strong> A forward jump with a split.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Pas de deux</em> (PAH duh DEUH):</strong> A dance for two.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Pirouette</em> (pee-roo-ET):</strong> A turn or series of multiple turns.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Plié </em>(plee-AY):</strong> Bending your knees. This can be a small or big bend, on one leg or two.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Port de bras</em> (POR duh BRAH):</strong> Movement of your arms and upper body.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong><em>Sauté </em>(soh-TAY):</strong> A small jump on two legs, landing on both legs.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><strong>Tutu:</strong> A ballerina's skirt, sticking straight out from the hips like a pizza.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9104,"name":"Scott Speck","slug":"scott-speck","description":" <p><b>Scott Speck</b> has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. <b>Evelyn Cisneros</b> danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9104"}},{"authorId":10316,"name":"Evelyn Cisneros","slug":"evelyn-cisneros","description":" <p><b>Scott Speck</b> has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. <b>Evelyn Cisneros</b> danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10316"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33748,"title":"Dance","slug":"dance","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33748"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":[{"articleId":175788,"title":"Trig Identities for Pre-Calculus","slug":"trig-identities-for-pre-calculus","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","pre-calculus"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/175788"}},{"articleId":147241,"title":"How to Use the Z-Table","slug":"how-to-use-the-z-table","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","statistics"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/147241"}},{"articleId":192609,"title":"How to Pray the Rosary: A Comprehensive Guide","slug":"how-to-pray-the-rosary","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/192609"}},{"articleId":232914,"title":"The Flop, Turn, and River Cards in Texas Hold'em","slug":"flop-turn-river-cards-texas-holdem","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","poker"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/232914"}},{"articleId":193770,"title":"How to Play Rummy: All You Need to Know","slug":"rummy-understanding-the-rules-and-starting-a-game","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/193770"}}],"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":208927,"title":"Ballet For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"ballet-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208927"}},{"articleId":200869,"title":"Ballet Moves: Demi-Pliés","slug":"ballet-moves-demi-plis","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200869"}},{"articleId":200816,"title":"Basic Guidelines of Choreography for Ballet","slug":"basic-guidelines-of-choreography-for-ballet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200816"}},{"articleId":200106,"title":"Finding the Correct Ballet Stance","slug":"finding-the-correct-ballet-stance","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200106"}},{"articleId":200105,"title":"Finding the Right Practice Space for Ballet","slug":"finding-the-right-practice-space-for-ballet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200105"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":208927,"title":"Ballet For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"ballet-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208927"}},{"articleId":200869,"title":"Ballet Moves: Demi-Pliés","slug":"ballet-moves-demi-plis","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200869"}},{"articleId":200816,"title":"Basic Guidelines of Choreography for Ballet","slug":"basic-guidelines-of-choreography-for-ballet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200816"}},{"articleId":200106,"title":"Finding the Correct Ballet Stance","slug":"finding-the-correct-ballet-stance","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200106"}},{"articleId":200105,"title":"Finding the Right Practice Space for Ballet","slug":"finding-the-right-practice-space-for-ballet","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/200105"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281974,"slug":"ballet-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119643104","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119643104/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119643104/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119643104-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119643104/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119643104/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/ballet-for-dummies-cover-9781119643104-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Ballet For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"<p><p><b><b data-author-id=\"9104\">Scott Speck</b></b> has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. <b>Evelyn Cisneros</b> danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque. <p><b>Scott Speck</b> has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. <b><b data-author-id=\"10316\">Evelyn Cisneros</b></b> danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9104,"name":"Scott Speck","slug":"scott-speck","description":" <p><b>Scott Speck</b> has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. <b>Evelyn Cisneros</b> danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9104"}},{"authorId":10316,"name":"Evelyn Cisneros","slug":"evelyn-cisneros","description":" <p><b>Scott Speck</b> has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. <b>Evelyn Cisneros</b> danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10316"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119643104"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b12a6ecd\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["academics-the-arts","performing-arts","dance"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119643104"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b12a7747\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-12-29T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":191772},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2024-10-21T10:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'></div>\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":299891,"title":"For the College Bound","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-college-bound-299891"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":301547,"title":"For the Game Day Prepper","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/big-game-day-prep-made-easy-301547"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/academics-the-arts/performing-arts/dance/important-ballet-terms-to-know-191772/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"academics-the-arts","category2":"performing-arts","category3":"dance","article":"important-ballet-terms-to-know-191772"},"fullPath":"/article/academics-the-arts/performing-arts/dance/important-ballet-terms-to-know-191772/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}

Important Ballet Terms to Know

By: Scott Speck and Evelyn Cisneros and

Updated: 12-29-2021

From The Book: Ballet For Dummies

Ballet For Dummies

Book image

Explore Book Buy On Amazon

Whether you're practicing ballet in the studio or dancing ballet for a performance, it's important to know the lingo. The following list shows some basic ballet terms with pronunciation guides, as well, because almost all of them are French:

Battement tendu (bat-MAHN tahn-DUE): Brushing out your leg along the floor and pointing your foot. It also can be done lifting your legs to various heights, to the front, side, and back (also known as arabesque).
En pointe (ahn PWANT or on point): Balancing on the tips of your toes (for women only). This is achieved by wearing special pointe shoes.
Grand jeté (GRAHN juh-TAY): A forward jump with a split.
Pas de deux (PAH duh DEUH): A dance for two.
Pirouette (pee-roo-ET): A turn or series of multiple turns.
Plié (plee-AY): Bending your knees. This can be a small or big bend, on one leg or two.
Port de bras (POR duh BRAH): Movement of your arms and upper body.
Sauté (soh-TAY): A small jump on two legs, landing on both legs.
Tutu: A ballerina's skirt, sticking straight out from the hips like a pizza.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Ballet For Dummies ,

About the book authors:

Scott Speck has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. Evelyn Cisneros danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Scott Speck has conducted hundreds of ballet performances throughout the United States and Europe. He is Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet. Evelyn Cisneros danced for the San Francisco Ballet for 23 years and is the Artistic Director of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

This article can be found in the category:

Dance ,