German word

tanzen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtant͡sən/

Meaning

  • verbdance

Example

Er tanzt gern auf Partys.

He likes dancing at parties.

Illustration for tanzen (dance)

More examples

Am Wochenende gehen wir oft tanzen.

At the weekend, we often go dancing.

Core concept

A body keeps time with music through rhythmic steps and changing positions, alone or with others at a dance event.

Common phrases

  • tanzen gehen

    go dancing

  • tanzen mit Freunden

    dance with friends

  • tanzen zu Musik

    dance to music

Similar words

tanzen gehen: Going out to a club or party for the purpose of dancing with others.
mit jemandem tanzen: Dancing together with another person as partners.

Definition in German

den Körper zur Musik rhythmisch bewegen; an einer Tanzveranstaltung teilnehmen

Word origin

Tanzen is formed from Tanz with the German verbal ending -en, while Tanz entered German through Middle High German from Old French danse.

Usage tips

  • The phrase tanzen gehen means to go out dancing, while mit jemandem tanzen specifies the dance partner.

Related words

Word lists with this word