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A2 verb 9 min de lecture

danzare

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces danzare en 30 secondes

Explication danzare in your Level:

At the A1 level, the focus is on basic communication. You might learn 'ballare' first because it is more common in everyday life. However, 'danzare' is introduced as a way to describe hobbies or artistic interests. At this stage, you should be able to conjugate 'danzare' in the present tense (io danzo, tu danzi) and use it in simple sentences like 'Mi piace danzare' (I like to dance). You will mostly use it to describe a general love for the art of dance. The goal is simply to recognize the word and understand that it means 'to dance'. You don't need to worry about the deep artistic nuances yet, but knowing that it exists as a more formal alternative to 'ballare' is helpful for building your vocabulary foundation. You might see it in simple reading exercises about a girl who goes to a dance school (scuola di danza).

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By A2, you are expected to describe your life and interests in more detail. You can now use 'danzare' in the past (passato prossimo) with the auxiliary 'avere', such as 'Ho danzato per molti anni' (I danced for many years). You begin to distinguish between 'ballare' (at a party) and 'danzare' (in a class or on stage). You can use simple adverbs to describe the movement, like 'danzare bene' or 'danzare con grazia'. You might also encounter the word in descriptions of cultural events in Italy, like a local folk dance festival or a school performance. Your sentences will become slightly longer, incorporating prepositions like 'con' (with) or 'su' (on/to), as in 'Danziamo sulla musica classica' (We dance to classical music).

At the B1 level, you can handle more complex sentence structures and express opinions about the arts. You can use 'danzare' in the imperfect tense (imperfetto) to describe habitual actions in the past: 'Quando ero piccola, danzavo ogni pomeriggio' (When I was little, I used to dance every afternoon). You also start to use the verb in the future tense and conditional to express dreams or possibilities. You can understand more nuanced texts about the history of Italian dance or interviews with professional dancers. You might use 'danzare' metaphorically for the first time, describing how light or shadows move. Your vocabulary expands to include related nouns like 'danzatore' (male dancer) and 'danzatrice' (female dancer), and you can discuss the 'passione per il danzare'.

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At B2, you are moving toward fluency and can use 'danzare' in a wide variety of contexts, including figurative and literary ones. You can discuss the technical aspects of dance and use the verb in the subjunctive (congiuntivo) to express desires or doubts: 'Spero che lei danzi con me' (I hope she dances with me). You are comfortable with the distinction between 'danzare' and 'ballare' and can explain it to others. You can read complex articles about modern dance and understand the 'linguaggio del corpo' (body language). You use 'danzare' to describe the rhythmic movement of abstract concepts, like 'le idee che danzano nella mente' (ideas dancing in the mind). You are also familiar with common idioms and can use them in conversation naturally.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'danzare' is sophisticated and precise. You can appreciate the stylistic choice of an author who uses 'danzare' to create a specific mood. You can use the verb in all tenses, including the more obscure ones like the 'passato remoto' in storytelling. You can participate in deep discussions about the cultural significance of dance in Italian history, from the Renaissance to the present. You understand the subtle difference between 'danzare' and other poetic verbs like 'volteggiare' or 'roteare'. Your writing uses 'danzare' to add elegance and rhythm to your prose. You can analyze how 'danzare' is used in Italian opera librettos or classical poetry, recognizing its role in creating 'armonia' (harmony).

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native mastery of 'danzare'. You can use it with absolute precision in academic, literary, or professional contexts. You can write critiques of dance performances that use the full range of Italian vocabulary related to movement. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its etymological roots. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it in complex metaphors that span paragraphs. You are aware of the most subtle connotations and can use 'danzare' to convey irony, tragedy, or sublime beauty. For you, 'danzare' is not just a verb, but a tool for expressing the highest forms of human expression and the rhythmic nature of the universe itself. You can effortlessly switch between 'ballare' and 'danzare' to signal changes in social register or artistic intent.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

danzare en 30 secondes

Danzare means to dance, but with an emphasis on grace and artistic performance.
It is different from 'ballare', which is used for social or casual dancing.
It is a regular -are verb and uses the auxiliary 'avere' in past tenses.
It is frequently used metaphorically in literature to describe natural movements.

The Italian verb danzare is a beautiful and evocative term that translates to 'to dance' in English. However, in the rich tapestry of the Italian language, it carries a specific weight and elegance that distinguishes it from its more common cousin, ballare. While ballare is the word you would use for jumping around at a nightclub or dancing casually at a wedding, danzare suggests a higher level of artistry, grace, and formal technique. It is the language of the ballet, the professional stage, and the poetic movement of nature itself.

Artistic Context: Use danzare when referring to professional performances, such as classical ballet or contemporary dance. It implies a choreographed sequence of movements executed with precision.
Literary and Poetic Usage: In literature, danzare describes metaphorical movements, like leaves swirling in the wind or light reflecting off water. It evokes a sense of harmony and rhythm in the natural world.
Formal Occasions: When attending a high-society gala or a formal ball (un ballo di gala), the act of dancing is often elevated to danzare to match the sophistication of the environment.

La ballerina sembrava danzare sull'aria, priva di peso e piena di grazia.

Translation: The ballerina seemed to dance on air, weightless and full of grace.

Le foglie secche iniziarono a danzare nel vento autunnale.

Translation: The dry leaves began to dance in the autumn wind.

Understanding the nuance between ballare and danzare is a key milestone for an intermediate Italian learner. While an A1 student might use ballare for everything, an A2 or B1 student begins to recognize that danzare elevates the conversation. It suggests that the movement is not just physical, but meaningful. Whether it is a professional athlete moving with 'danzante' agility or a poet describing the 'danza' of the stars, this verb is essential for expressing beauty in motion.

Vidi le lucciole danzare nel buio della campagna toscana.

Translation: I saw fireflies dancing in the darkness of the Tuscan countryside.

Grammar Note: Danzare is a regular first-conjugation verb ending in -are. It uses the auxiliary verb avere in compound tenses (e.g., 'ho danzato').

Non ho mai smesso di danzare con il cuore.

Translation: I have never stopped dancing with my heart.

Preferisco danzare sotto la pioggia piuttosto che cercare riparo.

Translation: I prefer to dance in the rain rather than seek shelter.

Using danzare correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation and its typical companions in a sentence. As an '-are' verb, it follows the most common conjugation pattern in Italian. However, its usage is often accompanied by specific prepositions like con (with), su (on/over), or nel (in the), which help ground the movement in space and time.

The Present Tense: In the present tense, danzare is straightforward: io danzo, tu danzi, lui/lei danza, noi danziamo, voi danzate, loro danzano. It is used to describe current actions or general habits involving artistic dance.

Ogni mattina, lei danza per un'ora in salotto.

Translation: Every morning, she dances for an hour in the living room.

The Past Tense (Passato Prossimo): Because danzare is an intransitive verb of action, it uses avere as its auxiliary. Example: 'Abbiamo danzato tutta la notte'. Note that the past participle 'danzato' remains unchanged regardless of the subject's gender or number when using avere.

Gli artisti hanno danzato sul palco del Teatro alla Scala.

Translation: The artists danced on the stage of the La Scala Theatre.

Volete danzare questo minuetto con me?

Translation: Would you like to dance this minuet with me?

Infinitive Constructions: The infinitive danzare is often used after modal verbs like potere (can), volere (want), and dovere (must), or after verbs of perception like vedere (see) and sentire (hear/feel).

Posso guardarti danzare per ore senza mai stancarmi.

Translation: I can watch you dance for hours without ever getting tired.

I fiocchi di neve sembravano danzare nell'aria gelida.

Translation: The snowflakes seemed to dance in the freezing air.

Finally, remember that danzare can also be used in the gerund form (danzando) to describe an ongoing action or the manner in which another action is performed. For example: 'Entrò nella stanza danzando' (She entered the room dancing). This adds a layer of descriptive vividness to your Italian storytelling.

In contemporary Italy, you will encounter the word danzare in specific environments that value aesthetics, tradition, and formal expression. While ballare is the king of the radio and the streets, danzare is the queen of the theater, literature, and the arts. Understanding where this word lives will help you grasp its cultural soul.

The World of 'Teatro': If you visit a 'scuola di danza' (dance school) or attend a performance at 'La Fenice' in Venice, you will exclusively hear danzare. It is the technical term used by instructors, critics, and aficionados of the 'corpo di ballo' (ballet troupe).

Il critico ha lodato il modo in cui l'étoile ha saputo danzare il ruolo di Giselle.

Translation: The critic praised the way the star dancer was able to dance the role of Giselle.

Classical Literature and Poetry: Italian poets from Dante to Leopardi have used danzare to describe cosmic or spiritual movements. When you read modern Italian novels, authors use danzare to create a more sophisticated or romantic atmosphere than ballare would provide.

Le ombre dei platani danzavano sul muro bianco della villa.

Translation: The shadows of the plane trees were dancing on the white wall of the villa.

Osservate come i pianeti sembrano danzare intorno al sole.

Translation: Observe how the planets seem to dance around the sun.

Formal Invitations and Events: If you receive an invitation to a traditional 'Gran Ballo' (Great Ball), the program might use danzare to describe the formal opening of the floor. It sets a tone of elegance and high social standing.

Sarebbe un onore danzare con lei questa sera.

Translation: It would be an honor to dance with you this evening.

Hai un modo di danzare che incanta chiunque ti guardi.

Translation: You have a way of dancing that enchants anyone who watches you.

While danzare is a relatively simple verb to conjugate, the most frequent errors occur in its contextual application and its confusion with other similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. For English speakers, the primary challenge is knowing when not to use it.

Mistake #1: Overusing 'Danzare' for Casual Situations: The most common mistake is using danzare to describe dancing at a party, a club, or a casual gathering. Italians almost always use ballare for these. Saying 'Ieri ho danzato in discoteca' (Yesterday I danced at the disco) sounds strangely formal and slightly out of place, as if you were performing ballet in the middle of a techno party.

Errato: Andiamo a danzare in discoteca?
Corretto: Andiamo a ballare in discoteca?

Mistake #2: Confusing 'Danzare' with 'Danzante': Learners often confuse the verb with its present participle/adjective danzante. While 'danzare' is the action, 'danzante' describes something that is currently dancing or has a dancing quality. For example, 'serata danzante' is a common phrase for a 'dancing evening', but you cannot use 'danzante' as a main verb.

La fiamma danzava nel camino (The flame was dancing in the fireplace).

Mistake #3: Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns: When talking about a group, like 'la compagnia' (the company), remember the verb must be singular: 'La compagnia danza' (The company dances), not 'La compagnia danzano'.

Tutta la classe danza con impegno per lo spettacolo finale.

Translation: The whole class dances with commitment for the final show.

Lastly, be careful with the spelling of the third-person plural in the present tense: danzano. The stress falls on the first syllable (DAN-za-no), which can be tricky for English speakers who might want to stress the second syllable. Practice saying it aloud to master the rhythmic flow of the word.

Italian is a language of nuance, and while danzare is a primary word for artistic movement, several other verbs and expressions can be used to add variety and precision to your speech. Knowing these alternatives will make your Italian sound more natural and expressive.

Ballare: Comparison: This is the most common synonym. Use ballare for social dancing, parties, and general fun. Example: 'Amo ballare la salsa'.
Volteggiare: Comparison: This means 'to whirl' or 'to soar'. It is often used to describe dancers who are spinning or moving through the air with great lightness. Example: 'Le coppie volteggiavano nel salone'.
Roteare: Comparison: This means 'to rotate' or 'to spin'. It is used when the movement is circular and fast, like a dervish or a spinning top. Example: 'Le gonne iniziarono a roteare velocemente'.
Saltellare: Comparison: This means 'to hop' or 'to skip'. It is a more playful, less formal movement often associated with children or folk dances. Example: 'I bambini saltellavano per la gioia'.

Invece di camminare, sembrava volteggiare sopra il pavimento.

Translation: Instead of walking, she seemed to whirl over the floor.

Another useful expression is fare quattro salti (literally 'to do four jumps'), which is a very colloquial way to say 'to go dancing' or 'to have a little dance'. It is the polar opposite of the formal danzare. Finally, the noun coreografia is essential when discussing danzare, as it refers to the planned sequence of movements that define the art form.

Stasera andiamo a fare quattro salti in centro?

Translation: Shall we go have a little dance downtown tonight?

In summary, choose danzare for art, ballare for fun, volteggiare for grace, and saltellare for playfulness. Mastering these distinctions will give you a sophisticated command of Italian movement verbs.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'ballet' is actually a diminutive of the Italian 'ballo', but 'danzare' is the verb that became associated with the high art of the ballet form globally.

Guide de prononciation

UK /danˈtsa.re/

US /dɑnˈtsɑ.reɪ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: dan-ZA-re.

Rime avec

cantare amare parlare giocare pensare andare volare sognare

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'z' like a soft English 'z' (as in 'zebra') instead of 'ts'.
Stressing the first syllable (DAN-zare) instead of the second.
Muffling the final 'e' so it sounds like an 'a'.
Failing to roll the 'r' slightly.
Confusing the pronunciation with the French 'danser'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize because of its similarity to 'dance' and 'danse'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the 'z' and the correct first-conjugation endings.

Expression orale 3/5

The 'ts' sound of the 'z' and the stress on 'ZA' can take practice.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

musica corpo muovere bello scuola

Apprends ensuite

coreografia spettacolo ritmo palcoscenico ballerino

Avancé

volteggiare roteare armonia sinuosità espressività

Grammaire à connaître

First Conjugation (-are verbs)

Io danzo, tu danzi, lui danza...

Auxiliary Verb 'Avere'

Ho danzato (I have danced).

Infinitive after Modals

Posso danzare (I can dance).

Gerund formation

Danzando si impara (By dancing one learns).

Agreement with 'Avere'

Le ragazze hanno danzato (No agreement with subject).

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Exemples par niveau

Io amo danzare.

I love to dance.

Present tense, first person singular.

Tu danzi molto bene.

You dance very well.

Present tense, second person singular.

Noi danziamo a scuola.

We dance at school.

Present tense, first person plural.

Lui danza con la musica.

He dances with the music.

Present tense, third person singular.

Lei vuole danzare.

She wants to dance.

Infinitive after the modal verb 'volere'.

Voi danzate oggi?

Are you (plural) dancing today?

Interrogative sentence, present tense.

Loro danzano insieme.

They dance together.

Present tense, third person plural.

È bello danzare.

It is beautiful to dance.

Infinitive as a subject complement.

Ieri ho danzato per due ore.

Yesterday I danced for two hours.

Passato prossimo with 'avere'.

Hai mai danzato il tango?

Have you ever danced the tango?

Transitive use of the verb in the past.

Lei ha danzato con grazia.

She danced with grace.

Adverbial phrase 'con grazia'.

Abbiamo danzato tutto il pomeriggio.

We danced all afternoon.

Passato prossimo, first person plural.

Non mi piace danzare da solo.

I don't like to dance alone.

Infinitive with negative construction.

Loro hanno danzato sul palco.

They danced on the stage.

Preposition 'sul' (on the).

Volete danzare con noi?

Do you want to dance with us?

Modal verb 'volere' + infinitive.

Lui ha danzato un bellissimo valzer.

He danced a beautiful waltz.

Direct object 'un bellissimo valzer'.

Mentre lei cantava, lui danzava.

While she was singing, he was dancing.

Imperfetto for simultaneous actions.

Se avessi tempo, danzerei ogni giorno.

If I had time, I would dance every day.

Present conditional in a hypothetical sentence.

Speriamo di danzare presto di nuovo.

We hope to dance again soon.

Infinitive after 'sperare di'.

La bambina danzava felice nel prato.

The little girl was dancing happily in the field.

Imperfetto for descriptive past.

Hai visto le foglie danzare nel vento?

Did you see the leaves dancing in the wind?

Infinitive after a verb of perception.

Danzare mi aiuta a rilassarmi.

Dancing helps me to relax.

Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.

Lei danzava come una professionista.

She was dancing like a professional.

Comparative construction 'come una'.

Non sapevo che tu sapessi danzare così.

I didn't know you knew how to dance like that.

Past subjunctive 'sapessi' followed by infinitive.

È necessario che gli attori sappiano danzare.

It is necessary that the actors know how to dance.

Present subjunctive 'sappiano' after an impersonal expression.

Le fiamme danzavano nel caminetto acceso.

The flames were dancing in the lit fireplace.

Figurative use of the verb.

Danzando, ha dimenticato tutti i suoi problemi.

Dancing, he forgot all his problems.

Gerund expressing means or circumstance.

Il velo danzava leggero intorno al suo viso.

The veil was dancing lightly around her face.

Metaphorical use for objects.

Sebbene fosse stanco, continuò a danzare.

Although he was tired, he continued to dance.

Concessive clause with 'sebbene' + subjunctive.

La luce danzava sulle onde del mare.

The light was dancing on the waves of the sea.

Poetic description of light.

Hanno danzato una coreografia molto complessa.

They danced a very complex choreography.

Transitive use with a technical noun.

Potresti danzare per me stasera?

Could you dance for me tonight?

Conditional 'potresti' for a polite request.

Le ombre danzavano freneticamente sulle pareti.

The shadows were dancing frantically on the walls.

Adverb 'freneticamente' modifying the verb.

Si dice che le ninfe danzassero in questi boschi.

It is said that nymphs used to dance in these woods.

Imperfect subjunctive in a passive reporting structure.

Danzare è un modo per liberare l'anima dal corpo.

Dancing is a way to free the soul from the body.

Philosophical use of the infinitive.

La polvere danzava in un raggio di sole.

The dust was dancing in a sunbeam.

Common literary image.

Egli danzava sul filo del rasoio, rischiando tutto.

He was dancing on a razor's edge, risking everything.

Idiomatic expression for a dangerous situation.

La musica la spinse a danzare senza sosta.

The music pushed her to dance without stopping.

Causal construction with 'spingere a'.

Le parole sembravano danzare sulla pagina bianca.

The words seemed to dance on the white page.

Metaphor for the creative process.

Nonostante l'età, danzava ancora con vigore.

Despite his age, he still danced with vigor.

Contrastive construction with 'nonostante'.

L'universo intero sembrava danzare in un'armonia cosmica.

The entire universe seemed to dance in a cosmic harmony.

Grand philosophical use.

Le sue dita danzavano agili sui tasti del pianoforte.

His fingers were dancing nimbly on the piano keys.

Metonymy using 'fingers' as the subject.

Il poeta descrive come le stelle danzino nel firmamento.

The poet describes how the stars dance in the firmament.

Subjunctive 'danzino' in an indirect statement.

In quella tragedia, la morte danza con la vita.

In that tragedy, death dances with life.

Allegorical usage.

L'atleta riusciva a danzare tra i difensori avversari.

The athlete managed to dance between the opposing defenders.

Metaphor for agility in sports.

Un'idea geniale iniziò a danzare nella sua mente feconda.

A brilliant idea began to dance in his fertile mind.

Metaphor for intellectual inspiration.

Danzare il proprio destino richiede coraggio e grazia.

To dance one's own destiny requires courage and grace.

Existential metaphor.

La nebbia danzava sopra la brughiera silenziosa.

The mist was dancing over the silent moor.

Atmospheric literary description.

Synonymes

ballare volteggiare roteare saltellare esibirsi muoversi scatenarsi pivottare

Antonymes

stare fermo immobilizzarsi sedersi bloccarsi

Collocations courantes

scuola di danza

passo di danza

compagnia di danza

musica per danzare

danzare sulle punte

danzare nudi

danzare la pioggia

danzare un valzer

danzare nel vento

voglia di danzare

Phrases Courantes

Danzare con il cuore

— To dance with passion and sincerity.

Non basta la tecnica, devi danzare con il cuore.

Danzare sotto la pioggia

— To find joy even in difficult times.

Dobbiamo imparare a danzare sotto la pioggia.

Danzare per la gioia

— To move because one is extremely happy.

Quando ha vinto, ha iniziato a danzare per la gioia.

Danzare un assolo

— To perform a dance alone on stage.

È il suo turno di danzare un assolo.

Danzare in coppia

— To dance with a partner.

È difficile danzare in coppia se non c'è sintonia.

Saper danzare

— To know how to dance well.

Mio nonno diceva sempre che saper danzare è un'arte.

Danzare fino all'alba

— To dance through the whole night.

Hanno continuato a danzare fino all'alba.

Danzare al ritmo di

— To dance to the beat of something.

Danzavano al ritmo dei tamburi.

Danzare la vita

— To live life with grace and rhythm.

Dobbiamo imparare a danzare la vita ogni giorno.

Danzare sul ghiaccio

— To figure skate (artistic movement on ice).

Amo guardare i campioni danzare sul ghiaccio.

Souvent confondu avec

danzare vs ballare

English speakers use 'dance' for both, but Italian distinguishes social (ballare) from artistic/formal (danzare).

danzare vs danzante

This is the adjective/participle form. Use it to describe things (serata danzante) but not as a verb.

danzare vs danzatore

This is the person who dances. Don't confuse the noun with the verb.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Danzare sul filo del rasoio"

— To be in a very precarious or dangerous situation.

L'economia del paese sta danzando sul filo del rasoio.

journalistic

"Far danzare qualcuno"

— To manipulate someone or make them do what you want.

Quel capo sa come far danzare i suoi dipendenti.

informal

"Danzare sulla tomba di qualcuno"

— To celebrate the downfall or death of an enemy.

Non è educato danzare sulla tomba dei propri rivali.

literary

"Danza macabra"

— An artistic genre representing death leading people to the grave.

Il dipinto raffigurava una danza macabra medievale.

artistic

"Danzare come un orso"

— To dance clumsily or without rhythm.

Poverino, danza come un orso ubriaco.

informal

"La danza dei miliardi"

— A situation involving huge sums of money moving around.

Nel calciomercato è iniziata la danza dei miliardi.

journalistic

"Danzare al suono di"

— To obey someone blindly or follow their lead.

Tutti danzano al suono della sua musica.

metaphorical

"Danzare con i lupi"

— To deal with dangerous people or situations.

Se vuoi quel successo, devi essere pronto a danzare con i lupi.

informal

"Ogni danza ha la sua fine"

— Everything must come to an end.

Godiamoci il momento, perché ogni danza ha la sua fine.

philosophical

"Danzare nel buio"

— To act without knowing the facts or the outcome.

Senza un piano, stiamo solo danzando nel buio.

metaphorical

Facile à confondre

danzare vs ballare

Both mean 'to dance'.

Ballare is common and social; danzare is artistic and formal.

Balliamo in discoteca, ma danziamo sul palco.

danzare vs saltare

Both involve moving the feet.

Saltare means to jump; danzare means to move rhythmically.

Il bambino salta la corda, la ballerina danza.

danzare vs volare

Dancers often look like they are flying.

Volare means to fly; danzare means to dance.

Gli uccelli volano, gli uomini danzano.

danzare vs roteare

Spinning is part of dancing.

Roteare specifically means to rotate or spin.

La ballerina ruota su se stessa mentre danza.

danzare vs giocare

Both are fun activities.

Giocare means to play a game; danzare is a physical art.

Giochiamo a calcio, ma amiamo danzare.

Structures de phrases

Mi piace + [infinitive]

Mi piace danzare.

Ho + [past participle] + per + [time]

Ho danzato per un'ora.

Mentre + [imperfetto], [imperfetto]

Mentre cantavo, lei danzava.

Spero che + [subjunctive]

Spero che lui danzi con me.

[Gerund], [main clause]

Danzando, ha dimenticato il dolore.

Metafora + [verb]

Le idee danzano nella sua mente.

Voglio + [infinitive]

Voglio danzare con te.

[Noun] + sembra + [infinitive]

Il fumo sembra danzare.

Famille de mots

Noms

danza

danzatore

danzatrice

danzatore

ballo

Verbes

ballare

ridanzare

volteggiare

Adjectifs

danzante

danzato

coreografico

Apparenté

coreografia

balletto

ritmo

musica

palcoscenico

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in artistic/literary contexts; moderate in daily speech compared to 'ballare'.

Erreurs courantes

Io sono danzato. → Io ho danzato.
The verb 'danzare' requires the auxiliary 'avere', not 'essere', in the passato prossimo.
Vado a danzare in discoteca. → Vado a ballare in discoteca.
Danzare is too formal for a nightclub setting; ballare is the appropriate choice.
Loro danzàno. → Loro dànzano.
The stress in the third-person plural present tense is on the first syllable, not the second.
Mi piace la dansare. → Mi piace danzare.
You don't need an article before the infinitive when it's the object of 'piacere', and check the spelling (z, not s).
Lei è una brava ballatrice. → Lei è una brava danzatrice.
While 'ballerina' is common, 'danzatrice' is the correct counterpart to 'danzatore' when using that root.

Astuces

Check your auxiliary

Always use 'avere' for the past tense. 'Ho danzato' is the only correct way to say 'I danced'.

Danzare vs Ballare

Use 'ballare' for fun, 'danzare' for art. This simple rule will save you from many awkward social situations.

The 'Z' sound

The 'z' in 'danzare' is voiceless, like in 'pizza' or 'tsunami'. Don't let it buzz like a bee!

Poetic flair

Use 'danzare' when writing descriptions of nature to instantly elevate your Italian prose style.

Formal requests

If you are at a very formal event, asking 'Vuole danzare?' sounds much more elegant than 'Vuole ballare?'.

Word families

Learn 'danza', 'danzatore', and 'danzare' together. They all share the same root and meaning.

Documentaries

Watch nature documentaries in Italian. You will hear 'danzare' used to describe everything from fish to stars.

Ballet roots

Remember that ballet started in Italy. Using 'danzare' connects you to that deep historical tradition.

Stress the middle

The stress is on the 'za'. Say it: dan-ZA-re. It helps with the rhythm of your speech.

Daily challenge

Find one thing today that is moving rhythmically and say to yourself: 'Guarda come danza!'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Dancer' on a 'Stage' (Danza). The 'z' sounds like the 'ts' in 'tutu'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a ballerina in a pink tutu spinning (danzando) in front of an Italian opera house.

Word Web

musica ritmo grazia teatro scarpette palco corpo movimento

Défi

Try to use 'danzare' to describe something in nature today, like the way the steam rises from your coffee or the way the wind moves the curtains.

Origine du mot

From the Old French 'dancier', which likely has Germanic roots (Old High German 'danson' meaning to stretch).

Sens originel : To stretch out or to form a line, referring to the way dancers moved together in patterns.

Romance (Italian) with Germanic influence via Old French.

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities; dance is a universal and positive concept in Italian culture.

English speakers often use 'dance' for everything. Learning the distinction between 'ballare' and 'danzare' helps you sound more culturally aware in Italy.

Roberto Bolle (famous Italian danzatore) Teatro alla Scala (famous venue for danza) Il Gattopardo (famous ballroom scene)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a Theater

Che bella danza!
Il corpo di ballo è bravissimo.
Quando inizia lo spettacolo di danza?
Lei è una grande danzatrice.

Talking about Hobbies

Faccio danza da tre anni.
Mi piace danzare la domenica.
Preferisco la danza classica.
Voglio imparare a danzare.

Describing Nature

Le nuvole danzano nel cielo.
La polvere danza nella luce.
Il fuoco danza nel camino.
Le foglie danzano per strada.

In a Relationship

Vuoi danzare con me?
Danziamo insieme?
Amo vederti danzare.
Sembriamo danzare sulla luna.

Professional Context

È un professionista della danza.
Insegna danza moderna.
Ha vinto un premio di danza.
La coreografia è originale.

Amorces de conversation

"Ti piace danzare o preferisci solo guardare gli altri?"

"Hai mai frequentato una scuola di danza quando eri bambino?"

"Qual è il tipo di danza che trovi più elegante da vedere?"

"Pensi che danzare sia un buon modo per fare esercizio fisico?"

"Se potessi danzare con una persona famosa, chi sceglieresti?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descrivi come ti senti quando vedi qualcuno danzare con grande passione.

Se la tua vita fosse una danza, che tipo di musica avrebbe e come ti muoveresti?

Scrivi di un momento in cui hai visto la natura 'danzare' davanti ai tuoi occhi.

Qual è l'importanza della danza nella cultura del tuo paese rispetto all'Italia?

Immagina di essere un danzatore professionista: descrivi la tua giornata tipo.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

You can, but it will sound very formal or even sarcastic. It is much better to use 'ballare' in that context. 'Danzare' suggests you are doing a rehearsed performance.

Yes, it is a regular -are verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for verbs like 'parlare' and 'cantare', making it easy to learn once you know the basics.

It uses 'avere' in compound tenses. For example, you say 'Io ho danzato' and not 'Io sono danzato'. This is consistent with most verbs of action.

Similar to the verbs, 'danzatore' sounds more professional and artistic, often used for modern or contemporary dance. 'Ballerino' is more common and is also the specific term for a ballet dancer (ballerino di danza classica).

You usually say 'pista da ballo'. Even though people might 'danzare' on it, the physical space is almost always associated with the word 'ballo'.

Yes, it is often used to describe the rhythmic movements of animals, such as birds during a mating ritual or bees communicating. It highlights the beauty of their movement.

No, 'Danza' is not used as a name in Italy, though it sounds like it could be. 'Danza' is strictly the noun for the art of dancing.

It is the Italian term for classical ballet. If you are a ballet dancer, you would say 'Pratico la danza classica'.

Yes, you can 'danzare un valzer' or 'danzare un tango'. This means you are performing that specific type of dance.

It is a poetic device called personification. It gives the natural world human-like grace and intention, making the description more beautiful.

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