folk dance

[foʊk dæns]
nounpl: folk dances
dança folclórica
1. a traditional dance that originates from and is practiced by common people of a specific region or culture, passed down through generations
The Irish folk dance known as step dancing is performed with rapid footwork and minimal arm movement.
A dança folclórica irlandesa conhecida como step dancing é executada com movimentos rápidos de pés e movimento mínimo dos braços.
2. social or recreational dancing that reflects the customs, traditions, and social life of a community
At the festival, visitors enjoyed watching various folk dances from different countries around the world.
No festival, os visitantes apreciaram assistir várias danças folclóricas de diferentes países ao redor do mundo.
3. a style of dance typically accompanied by traditional music and performed at celebrations, weddings, or cultural events
The Greek folk dance 'Sirtaki' has become one of the most recognizable traditional dances internationally.
A dança folclórica grega 'Sirtaki' tornou-se uma das danças tradicionais mais reconhecíveis internacionalmente.
Folk dance represents an important aspect of cultural identity and heritage preservation in both Brazilian and American contexts. In Brazil, indigenous dances, capoeira, and regional folk dances like forró and frevo are celebrated as vital expressions of national identity. In the United States, Appalachian square dances, Native American dances, and immigrant community dances are preserved through cultural festivals and educational programs. Folk dance serves as a bridge between generations and a means of maintaining cultural continuity in increasingly globalized societies.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
traditional danceethnic dancecultural dancenative dance
Antonyms / Antônimos
contemporary dancemodern danceballethip-hop

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dança folclórica
most common and formal term used across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
dança folclórica / samba (in specific context)
may reference local folk traditions alongside samba
São Paulo
dança folclórica
formal usage in cultural institutions and academia
Portugal
dança folclórica / dança tradicional
both terms are used interchangeably in Portuguese culture

Related Words

folklorecultural heritagetraditional musicethnic culturechoreographydance step

Related Idioms & Phrases

get down and dance
cut a rug
take to the dance floor
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