The Spanish words you hear at a milonga, gathered into four groups — posture, steps, music, and etiquette.
Oct 11
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abrazo | The embrace — the core connection of tango |
| Abrazo milonguero | A close embrace — the traditional milonga style |
| Marca |
| The leader's signal or intention |
| Eje | The vertical axis of the body |
| Disociación | Separation of the upper and lower body |
| Pivote | The follower's pivot on the axis |
| Enrosque | The leader coiling one leg around the other while turning |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Salida | The basic opening sequence |
| Caminata | Walking |
| Ocho | A figure-eight walk — forward and back versions |
| Cruzada | The cross |
| Giro | A turn |
| Molinete | The follower's turning walk |
| Sacada | A step that displaces your partner's leg |
| Barrida | Sweeping your partner's foot to a new place |
| Boleo | A whipping leg movement |
| Gancho | A leg hook |
| Parada | A stop |
| Planeo | A gliding, drawn-out movement |
| Volcada | Spilling your partner off axis and catching them |
| Colgada | Hanging off each other's counterweight |
| Calecita | A carousel — a turn taken together |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tanda | A set of 3–4 songs by one orchestra |
| Cortina | The short non-tango track between tandas |
| Vals | The 3/4 waltz of tango |
| Milonga | The fast 2/4 rhythm — the same word as the venue |
| Orquesta | Orchestra |
| Compás | The beat |
| Musicalidad | Musicality — how the body relates to the music |
| Fraseo | Dancing in musical phrases |
| Guardia Vieja | The early tango era |
| Época de Oro | The Golden Age (1935–1955) |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Código | A social code of the milonga |
| Cabeceo | Inviting with eye contact and a nod |
| Mirada | The gaze that opens an invitation |
| Ronda | The counter-clockwise flow of the floor |
| Pista | The dance floor |
| Milonguero / Milonguera | Someone steeped in milonga culture |
| Tanguero / Tanguera | Someone who loves tango |
| Práctica | A practice session |
| Pre-milonga | The beginner class before a milonga |
| Mesa | Table |
| Bailar | To dance |
| Adorno | An embellishment added by the follower |
Every word you learn brings the milonga one step closer.