ADELANTE
Forward

AL COSTADO
To the side

AMAGUE
An embellished action done by lead or on one's own and done before stepping

ARRASTRE
Drag

ATRAS
Back

BALANCEO
Deep check and replace

BALDOSA
Walking box named after the black and white checkered floors of Buenos Aries

BARRIDA
Sweeping or the motion of it

BIEN PARADO
Standing straight up

BOLEO
Whipping action on working leg while knees are together one back done after swivel done either high or low

CABECEO
Head- how to select a dance partner from a distance using head movement and eye contact

CADENA
Chain of steps running rapidly and turning left with alternating amagues or ganchos

CADENCIA
Deep check and replace used to avoid collision or in small spaces to change directions also at the start of the dance for one partner to describe the rhythm to the other to ensure the correct foot is used

CAIDA
A full step backwards sinking on the working leg and crossing the free leg in front without weight
Partner is led forward and outside partner sinking on working leg and crossing free leg behind without weight. May be done on either side

CALECITA
Carousel in which partner is placed on one foot and turned using lift and rotation provided by the partner

CAMINADA
Walking

CAMINANDO
Crossing walking step where partner initiates on 3 of the basico stepping forward right in outside position and pivoting right with other step patterns following

CAONGREJO
The crab sideways walking steps repetitively

CARICIAS
Gentle strokes of the shoe or leg against some part of the partners body done subtlely

CAROUSE
Molinete with secadas to leaders right and followers left and uses ochos orocho cortado to exit

CARPA
The tent -partner is lead onto one foot as in Calcite and partner then backs away making a lean action

CASTIGADA
Loft of the free leg and flexing of the working knee and using free leg to adorno outside of the working leg before stepping forward into parada or ochos

COMPAS
Beat as in music

CORRIDA
Short running steps

CORRIDA GARAGITO
Milonga step

CORTE CUT
Cutting the music either by syncopation or by holding for several beats
A variety of poses featuring erect postures and often used as a finale

CORTINA
Curtain- brief musical interlude

CUADRADO
Square box and box step

CUATRO
Figure four position of the legs

CUCHARITA
Spoon- lifting partners foot gently by scooping at the shoe

CUNITA
Cradle- forward and backward rock steps in time with the music

DERECHO
Erect or straight

DIBUJO
Drawing o sketch- done with toe on floor

DESPLAZAMIENTO
Displace- also secadas

ENGANCHE
Hooking- wrapping your partners leg or body

ENROSQUE
Coil or twist- during molinete partner remains on one foot while the other is. hooked behind standing foot

ENTRADA
Entrance- entering partners legs without displacement

ESPEJO
Mirror- both partners do similar movements

FRENO
Stop hold brake

GANCHO
Hook

GIRO
Turn running step or figure

LAPIZ
Pencil- Circular motion with the foot or toe on the floor

MEDIA LUNA
Half Moon

MEDIA VUELTA
Half turn

MILONGUERO STYLE
Close Embrace

MOLINETE
Windmill -wheel of one partner grapevining around the other

MORDIDA
Bite- sandwich

MORDIDA ALTO
Catch of partners knee between the legs

OCHO
Eight- crossing and pivoting

OCHO CORTADO
Cut OCHO

OCHOS CORTADOS
Cut eights

PARADA
To stop

PASADA
Pass over

PASO
A step

PATADA
A kick

PIERNA
Leg

PISTA
Dance floor

PLANEO
Gliding

RODILLAS
Knees

SACADA
Displacement of partners leg or foot

SALTITO
Little jump

SENTADA
Sit action

SUAVE
Smooth steady gentle and loosely soft and stylish

TANDA
Set of music

TANGO FANTASIA/ NUEVO
Hybrid tango done for show

TRASPIE
Cross foot- triple step
(la trompa)

VOLCADA
Tip over- partners lean against each other and share an axis with the free legs drawing on the floor


ZAPATAZO
Shoe taps