Japanese dictionary
How to say "dance" in Japanese
踊るおどる · odoru
To "dance" in Japanese is 踊る (odoru). A dance as a noun is ダンス (dansu) for modern styles and 踊り (odori) for traditional ones.
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Ways to say "dance" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 踊るおどる · odoru | To dance. |
| ダンスだんす · dansu | Dance (modern, social). |
| 踊りおどり · odori | Dance (traditional). |
How to use it
Summer festivals often include 盆踊り (bon odori), a group dance anyone can join.
To do dance as a hobby is ダンスをする (dansu o suru).
Example sentences
- お祭りで盆踊りを踊りました。O-matsuri de bon odori o odorimashita.I danced the Bon dance at the festival.
- 娘はダンスを習っています。Musume wa dansu o naratte imasu.My daughter takes dance lessons.
- パーティーでみんなで踊りました。Pātī de minna de odorimashita.Everyone danced together at the party.
- この地域には伝統的な踊りがあります。Kono chiiki ni wa dentōteki na odori ga arimasu.This region has a traditional dance.
- ダンスは苦手です。Dansu wa nigate desu.I'm not good at dancing.
- 一緒に踊りましょう。Issho ni odorimashō.Let's dance together.
Questions
What is 盆踊り?
盆踊り (bon odori) is a traditional group dance held at summer festivals during the Obon season. Visitors are usually welcome to join.
What is the difference between ダンス and 踊り?
ダンス (dansu) is used for modern and Western dance. 踊り (odori) is used for traditional Japanese dance.
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