French word

samba

Pronunciation

IPA/sɑ̃ba/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsamba

Example

Elle danse la samba.

She dances the samba.

Illustration for samba (samba)

More examples

Nous écoutons de la samba.

We listen to samba.

Core concept

A syncopated Brazilian pulse of percussion, swaying hips, and lively steps, both heard and danced.

Common phrases

  • danser la samba

    dance samba

  • écouter de la samba

    listen to samba

Similar words

danse: Movement of the body to music as a form of expression.
salsa: A Latin dance performed to fast Caribbean or Latin American rhythms.
rythme: The beat and flow created by repeating sounds or musical patterns.
carnaval: A large festival celebrated with costumes and parades in streets or communities.

Definition in French

Danse et genre musical brésilien d'origine africaine, caractérisé par un rythme syncopé, des percussions marquées et des mouvements de hanches.

Word origin

The French noun samba was borrowed from Portuguese samba, a Brazilian term of African origin linked to Bantu languages.

Usage tips

  • In French, samba is feminine, so the standard phrase is danser la samba.

Word lists with this word