In 15 Seconds
- Use it to describe practicing or performing the art of ballet.
- Always use the verb 'tanzen' (to dance), never 'machen' (to do).
- Appropriate for both casual hobbies and professional careers.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say someone practices or performs ballet. Whether it's a toddler in a tutu or a pro on stage, this is the expression you need.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about childhood hobbies
Ich habe als Kind fünf Jahre lang Ballett getanzt.
I did ballet for five years as a child.
Asking about a friend's daughter
Möchte deine Tochter später professionell Ballett tanzen?
Does your daughter want to do ballet professionally later?
A formal introduction at a theater
Die Solistin wird heute Abend zum ersten Mal hier Ballett tanzen.
The soloist will perform ballet here for the first time tonight.
Cultural Background
Ballet is highly subsidized by the state. Almost every major city has a 'Staatstheater' where professional dancers are employed as civil-service-like employees. The Vienna State Ballet is world-famous, especially for its performance at the annual New Year's Concert. Dancing ballet in Vienna is often linked to the city's imperial history. Germans have a deep respect for the Russian school of ballet (Waganowa). Many German dance schools use Russian methods. There is a growing movement of 'Ballett für alle' (ballet for everyone), breaking down the elitist barriers and encouraging people of all ages and body types to dance.
Verb First for Hobbies
When someone asks about your hobbies, always use 'tanzen' for ballet. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using 'machen'.
Watch the Spelling
In German, 'Ballett' is spelled with two 'l's and two 't's. Don't let the English 'ballet' or French 'ballet' confuse you!
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to describe practicing or performing the art of ballet.
- Always use the verb 'tanzen' (to dance), never 'machen' (to do).
- Appropriate for both casual hobbies and professional careers.
What It Means
Ballett tanzen is a simple, direct collocation. It describes the act of doing ballet. In English, we often say we "do" ballet. In German, you always "dance" it. It covers the hobby, the sport, and the professional art form. It is the most natural way to talk about this specific activity.
How To Use It
You treat tanzen as the action verb. The word Ballett stays as the object. If you are talking about yourself, you say Ich tanze Ballett. If you did it in the past, you say Ich habe Ballett getanzt. It follows standard German sentence structure. Just remember that tanzen is a regular verb. It is very easy to conjugate!
When To Use It
Use this when discussing hobbies with new friends. It is perfect for describing your kids' after-school activities. You can also use it in a professional context. For example, if you are at the opera house. It works well in texts like Kommst du zum Ballett tanzen? if you are heading to class. It is a very versatile phrase for any conversation about dance.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for general dancing at a party. If you are at a club, just use tanzen. Using Ballett there would make people think you are about to do a pirouette on the bar! Also, avoid it if someone is just moving gracefully. For that, use sich anmutig bewegen. Ballett tanzen specifically refers to the technical art form.
Cultural Background
Germany has a massive love for the performing arts. Almost every medium-sized city has its own state theater. These theaters usually have a permanent ballet company. Ballet is seen as prestigious but quite accessible. Many German children start Ballettunterricht (ballet lessons) at a very young age. It is a common part of a well-rounded upbringing.
Common Variations
You might hear Ballettunterricht nehmen, which means taking lessons. If someone is a professional, they might say they are beim Ballett. This implies they work for a professional company. Another variation is Spitzentanz, which specifically refers to dancing on pointe shoes. But for 99% of situations, Ballett tanzen is your best friend.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral collocation suitable for all registers. The main 'gotcha' for English speakers is the urge to use 'machen' (to do) instead of 'tanzen' (to dance).
Verb First for Hobbies
When someone asks about your hobbies, always use 'tanzen' for ballet. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using 'machen'.
Watch the Spelling
In German, 'Ballett' is spelled with two 'l's and two 't's. Don't let the English 'ballet' or French 'ballet' confuse you!
Professional Nuance
If you want to sound very professional, use the phrase 'klassischen Tanz ausüben' in a CV, but stick to 'Ballett tanzen' in conversation.
Examples
6Ich habe als Kind fünf Jahre lang Ballett getanzt.
I did ballet for five years as a child.
Uses the Perfekt tense to describe a past hobby.
Möchte deine Tochter später professionell Ballett tanzen?
Does your daughter want to do ballet professionally later?
A common question among parents.
Die Solistin wird heute Abend zum ersten Mal hier Ballett tanzen.
The soloist will perform ballet here for the first time tonight.
Used in a professional, artistic context.
Ich bin so müde, ich war heute zwei Stunden Ballett tanzen!
I'm so tired, I was doing ballet for two hours today!
Informal way to describe a workout session.
Ich bin so ungeschickt, ich könnte niemals Ballett tanzen.
I'm so clumsy, I could never do ballet.
Self-deprecating humor about lack of grace.
Ballett zu tanzen gibt mir ein Gefühl von Freiheit.
Doing ballet gives me a feeling of freedom.
Uses the infinitive with 'zu' for emotional depth.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tanzen'.
Als Kind _______ ich jeden Freitag Ballett.
The sentence refers to a past habit ('Als Kind'), so the Präteritum 'tanzte' is correct.
Which sentence is grammatically natural in German?
Choose the best option:
In German, you use 'tanzen' for ballet, not 'machen', 'spielen', or 'gehen' (unless followed by 'zum').
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Was ist dein Hobby? B: Ich _______.
The standard way to state this hobby is 'Ich tanze Ballett'.
Match the sentence to the context.
Sentence: 'Sie tanzt heute Abend als Schwanenkönigin Ballett.'
Mentioning a specific role like 'Schwanenkönigin' (Swan Queen) implies a professional stage context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tanzen vs. Machen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAls Kind _______ ich jeden Freitag Ballett.
The sentence refers to a past habit ('Als Kind'), so the Präteritum 'tanzte' is correct.
Choose the best option:
In German, you use 'tanzen' for ballet, not 'machen', 'spielen', or 'gehen' (unless followed by 'zum').
A: Was ist dein Hobby? B: Ich _______.
The standard way to state this hobby is 'Ich tanze Ballett'.
Sentence: 'Sie tanzt heute Abend als Schwanenkönigin Ballett.'
Mentioning a specific role like 'Schwanenkönigin' (Swan Queen) implies a professional stage context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsWhile people will understand you, it's considered an anglicism. To sound natural, always say 'Ich tanze Ballett'.
It is neuter: {das|n} Ballett.
You can say 'Ich gehe zum Ballettunterricht' or simply 'Ich gehe zum Ballett'.
'Tanzen' is the general action, while 'vortanzen' specifically means to audition or perform for someone to show your skills.
Yes, and the term remains the same. A boy would say 'Ich tanze Ballett'.
No, in German, you pronounce the 't' at the end of 'Ballett'.
No, for modern dance you would say 'Modern Dance tanzen' or 'zeitgenössischen Tanz tanzen'.
The plural is 'die Ballette', but it is rarely used when talking about the activity.
You say 'Ich bin Ballett-Tänzer' (m) or 'Ich bin Ballett-Tänzerin' (f).
It is neutral. It's appropriate for both casual chats and formal discussions about art.
Related Phrases
Spitzentanz machen
specialized formTo do pointe work.
Tanzunterricht nehmen
similarTo take dance lessons.
Auf der Bühne stehen
builds onTo stand/perform on stage.
Ausdruckstanz
contrastExpressive/Modern dance.
