Basic Ballet Theory Review

A collection of flashcards to assist students in reviewing essential ballet terminology and concepts for their exam.

croisé devant

Crossed in front.

croisé derrière

Crossed in back.

à la quatrième devant

To the fourth front.

à la quatrième derrière

To the fourth back.

écarté devant

Thrown wide apart in front.

écarté derrière

Thrown wide apart in back.

effacé devant

Shaded in front.

effacé derrière

Shaded in back.

à la seconde

To the second.

port de bras

Carriage of the arms.

petit/petite

Small.

plié

Bent.

grand

Large.

tendu

Stretched.

en l'air

In the air.

dégagé

Disengaged.

à terre

On the ground.

cambré

Arched.

en croix

In the shape of a cross.

sur le cou-de-pied

On the 'neck' of the foot.

devant

In front.

rond de jambe

Round/circle of the leg.

derrière

In back.

retiré

Withdraw.

passé

Passed.

pirouette

Whirl, spin.

chaînés

Chains, links.

détourné

Turned aside.

sauté

Jumped, jumping.

changement de pieds

Change of feet.

assemblé

Assembled, joined together.

jeté

Thrown, throwing.

temps levé

Time raised, a hop from one foot.

échappé

Escaping or slipping movement.

soubresaut

Sudden spring or bound.

chassé

Chased.

sissonne simple

Simple sissonne - spring from fifth landing with one foot.

sur le cou-de-pied en avant

Forward, direction for the execution of a step.

en arrière

Backward, direction for the execution of a step.

de côté

Sideways, direction for the execution of a step or indication of facing.

dessus

Over, indicates that the working foot passes in front of the supporting foot.

dessous

Under, indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot.

en dehors

Outward.

en dedans

Inward.

épaulement

Shouldering.

épaulé

Shouldered.

croisé

Crossed.

effacé

Shaded.

écarté

Thrown wide apart, separated.

à la quatrième

In the fourth.

croisé devant

croisé derriére

A la quatriéme devant

A la quatriéme derriére