French word

salsa

Pronunciation

IPA/salsa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsalsa

Example

Ce soir, on va danser la salsa.

We're going salsa dancing tonight.

Illustration for salsa (salsa)

More examples

La salsa a un rythme entraînant.

Salsa has a catchy rhythm.

Core concept

A small serving of intense flavor that expands into a shared rhythm and dance.

Common phrases

  • danser la salsa

    dance salsa

  • écouter de la salsa

    listen to salsa

Similar words

sauce: A liquid or partly liquid condiment that complements a dish's flavor and texture.
ketchup: A sweet-and-sour red condiment made mainly from tomatoes.
mayonnaise: A rich white condiment made by blending eggs with oil.

Definition in French

Sauce piquante ou condiment utilisé pour accompagner des plats; par extension nom d'un style musical et de la danse afro-latine associés à ce rythme.

Word origin

The noun entered French from Spanish salsa, ultimately from Latin salsus, "salted"; in the twentieth century, salsa also became the name of a musical style and its dance.

Usage tips

  • In food contexts, une salsa normally means a sauce; the musical sense is clearer in musique salsa or danser la salsa.

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