In case you’ve been wondering what do Spanish terms that your flamenco teacher is using mean, here’s a handy list of basic flamenco terms and phrases for you to memorise, so you can enjoy flamenco in its native language:
Term: Meaning:
El baile Dance
El bailaor Male dancer
La bailaora Female dancer
El guitarrista Guitar player
El cantaor Male singer
La cantaora Female singer
El cuerpo The body
La colocacion del cuerpo The (correct) positioning of the body
Los manos The hands
Los pies The feet
La punta The tip of the toes
La planta (la media planta) Striking of the ball of the foot against the floor
Braceo Movement of arms
Floreo Movement or articulation of fingers or hands
Las palmas The hands
Palmear To clap hands (Span. ‘hacer las palmas’)
Jalear To shout during dance
El jaleo The shout, a vocal encouragement to the performers (e.g. when the audience shouts phrases like: Ezo!, Arsa!, Olé!, Toma!, Vamo!)
El duende The magic, or the spirit of flamenco artistry
La llamada Literally ‘the call’ or the opening of the dance
La entrada The beginning
Compás The rhythm, beat. also, a unit of rhythm
El final The end of the dance
La letra The lyrics
El marcaje The marking steps, used during the lyrics
El paso The step, in a dance
Escobilla The brushing steps, a section of footwork in dance
El paseo The walk, refers to parts of the dance where emphasis is on graceful walking and movements of the upper body and arms; sometimes used to refer to the part of the ‘alegrías’ (cheerful, upbeat melodies) which is more commonly called the ‘silencio’(silence).
El remate Footwork during and at the end of the lyrics.
Zapatear The footwork, to do the footwork
Las zapatos The shoes
Desplante A point in the dance that marks the end of a section, a climax where the dancer pauses and the audience applauds. Also called ‘La subida’ (the climb).
La oposición The opposition, refers to the asymmetry of flamenco; e.g. in dance: if the arms are going one way, the face will look the other.
Estampa A personal stamp, a signature look: the stance, the form, and the dress
El vestido The dress
La falda The skirt
La flor The flower (worn in hair)
El abanico The fan
Mantón de Manilla Manilla shawl
La peineta Hair comb
Las castañuelas Castanets
Please note:
This list is not exhaustive. Ask your teacher for the meaning of any other Spanish flamenco terms that she may introduce throughout your course.
