ballet vocabulary
What does plié mean?
to bend
What part of the body helps you balance in arabesque?
Your core and supporting leg
How many grades are there before vocational levels in RAD?
8
True or False: Plié means “to stretch.”
❌ False – It means “to bend”
Relevé
to rise
What is the difference between a pirouette en dehors and en dedans?
en dehors: out the door, turning away from your supporting leg
en dedans: in the door, turning towards your supporting leg
Why is core strength important in ballet?
It supports posture, balance, alignment, and controlled movements
What does port de bras mean?
carriage of the arms
True or False: You should always point your feet in tendu.
✅ True
Glissade
to glide
Name three positions of the arms
bras bas, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, Demi bras
What joint allows you to point your toes?
ankle
What is turnout and where does it come from?
Outward rotation of the legs, starting from the hips
True or False: You only need to use turnout when you’re at the barre.
❌ False – Turnout should be used everywhere
Rond de jambe
circle of the leg
What’s the English translation of fondu?
to melt
Which part of the body needs to stay straight and lifted during class?
Your spine or back
what is an enchaînement?
A sequence of steps put together
True or False: The core helps with balance.
✅ True
Frappé
to strike
What’s the difference between dégagé and tendu?
Dégagé disengages from the floor
tendu stays in contact with the floor
What are your “abs” short for, and what do they help you do?
Short for abdominal muscles; they help you stay upright and balanced
What’s the difference between devant, derrière, and à la seconde?
Devant = front
derrière = back
à la seconde = to the side
True or False: Arabesque is a jump.
❌ False – It’s a position
Balancé
to rock or sway