Spanish Conversation · Level 19
90 words
Spanish word
zamba
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈθamba/
Meaning
- feminine nounzamba
Example
La zamba es una canción tradicional argentina.
The zamba is a traditional Argentine folk song.
More examples
En la peña todos aprendieron a bailar la zamba.
At the peña everyone learned to dance the zamba.
Core concept
Slow, solemn Argentine couple dance with dancers waving handkerchiefs.
Common phrases
bailar la zamba
dance the zamba
baile de zamba
zamba dance
música de zamba
zamba music
Similar words
tango: Stylized Argentine couple dance and music developed in cities, intense and theatrical.
chacarera: Cheerful Argentine folk dance often performed at community events with lively footwork.
samba: High-energy Brazilian dance and music for festivals, marked by fast tempo and strong percussion.
folclore: A culture's body of traditional songs and dances rooted in specific regions and practices.
Definition in Spanish
Danza y género musical tradicional de Argentina, de tempo lento y tono generalmente solemne, presente en festivales folclóricos.
Word origin
Derived from the zamacueca family of South American dances and adapted in 19th-century Argentina into a slower, more lyrical form called zamba.
Usage tips
- Looks similar to Brazilian samba in spelling but is a distinct, slow Argentine folk dance and is usually referred to with the feminine article la zamba.