German word

Walzer

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvalt͡sɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwaltz

Example

Wir tanzen den Walzer.

We're dancing the waltz.

Illustration for Walzer (waltz)

More examples

Auf dem Fest tanzten viele Paare einen langsamen Walzer.

At the festival, many couples danced a slow waltz.

Core concept

Two partners move in a steady three-beat pattern while turning around the floor.

Common phrases

  • einen langsamen Walzer tanzen

    dance a slow waltz

  • sich im Walzer drehen

    turn around in a waltz

  • einen Walzer anstimmen

    strike up a waltz

Similar words

Tanz: The act of moving the body to music.
Ball: A large formal gathering where people in formal dress dance socially.
Tango: A passionate Argentine dance for two, performed in close contact.

Definition in German

Ein langsamer bis mäßig schneller Tanz im Dreivierteltakt, typisch als Paartanz mit Drehungen.

Word origin

Walzer derives from German walzen, meaning to roll or turn, which reflects the dance's characteristic rotational movement.

Usage tips

  • Walzer is masculine as der Walzer, and its plural has the same form: die Walzer.

Opposites

Related words

  • Walzerstimmungwaltz atmospherenoun
  • Walzertempowaltz temponoun
  • walzerndwaltzingadjective

Word lists with this word