#tango steps

[tangoguide]

Al costado

Al costado Definition In the simplest terms, al costado means “to the side.” It is a side step. Along with the forward step (adelante) and the backward step (atrás), it forms the holy trinity of tango’s fundamental movements. It is the lateral displacement of the foot and body, a building block for countless figures from the basic salida to the most intricate changes of direction. Al costado in…

[tangoguide]

Arrepentida

Arrepentida Definition The Arrepentida, which translates to “the repentant one,” is a tango figure, a type of sacada, where the follower is led to initiate a step—typically a forward step of an ocho—but is immediately led back to the place she started from. It is a change of mind, a hesitation made manifest in the dance. The leader invites the follower into a space and then, in the same fluid…

[tangoguide]

Base

Base Definition In the language of the classroom, the Base—or la base de ocho pasos—is the foundational eight-step pattern that serves as the alphabet for the aspiring tango dancer. For the leader, it typically moves: back, side, forward, forward, cross, forward, side, together. For the follower, it is a perfect, mirrored conversation. It is a sequence designed to teach the essential vocabulary…

[tangoguide]

Cangrejo

Cangrejo Definition The cangrejo, Spanish for “the crab,” is a deceptively simple and elegant step. It is a backward side step, most commonly executed in a cross system, where the leader and follower move together laterally and backward, mimicking the sideways scuttling of a crab. It is not merely a change of direction, but a shift in the conversation of the dance. Cangrejo in the Soul of…

[tangoguide]

Corrida

Corrida Definition Ah, the corrida. The word itself means “a run,” or “running steps.” In the language of tango, it is a series of small, quick, forward steps, typically led by the leader as the follower mirrors the rhythm with backward steps. It is a moment of acceleration, a burst of staccato energy that punctuates the smooth, legato flow of the walk. But to call it just “running steps” is like…

[tangoguide]

Cruzada

Cruzada Definition In the language of the feet, the Cruzada, or “cross,” is a fundamental word. On the surface, it is simple: the follower steps with one foot across the other. Typically, we see this as the fifth step in the classic eight-count basic, where the follower’s left foot crosses in front of their right. This action momentarily breaks the parallel system—where feet track like parallel…

[tangoguide]

Media luna

Media luna Definition The Media luna, or “half-moon,” is a classic figure in tango. At its heart, it is a circular sweeping motion of the free leg, tracing a semicircle on the floor. It is most often initiated by the leader for the follower, beginning with a pivot that turns the follower’s body, which then allows their free leg to draw this graceful arc, either forward (ante) or backward (atrás).…

[tangoguide]

Mordida

Mordida Definition In the language of tango, a mordida, which translates to “bite,” is a beautiful and playful figure where one dancer’s foot is delicately trapped, or “bitten,” between the two feet of their partner. It is not an act of aggression, but one of elegant capture. Typically, the leader will step with one foot on one side of the follower’s foot and bring their other foot to meet it on…