Salsa Dance Terms

Common salsa words and their definitions

Learning salsa is fun, but it is confusing when people in the salsa community throw around salsa words and names you’ve never heard before.

So, here’s a list of the most common salsa vocabulary you need to know, including some Spanish words, so you can talk for hours with all your new geeky salsa friends.

Did I miss a word? Contact me here.

A

Agua!

Agua means water in Spanish and when you hear someone yell “Agua!” in a song or at a dancer, its recognizing the energy is high and they’re on fire (figuratively).

Adorno, Alarde, Caricia, Floreo, Decoración

These Spanish terms all refer to decorative movements in salsa dancing, adding visual interest and expressiveness to an otherwise plain step. These embellishments are often improvised and showcase the dancer’s individual style and creativity.

An “adorno” is decorative, enhancing a step’s visual appeal.

An “alarde” suggests a more showy display.

A “caricia” often a hairbrush, draping the follow’s hand over their head.

A “floreo” involves elegant, flowing movements.

A “decoración,” or decoration in English, is a generic term used for all of the above.

Afro Cuban

“Afro-Cuban” refers to the cultural and musical elements derived from African heritage and integrated into Cuban music and dance. It includes rhythms, movements, and religious practices from African traditions.

Arm Styling

Purposeful movement and positioning of the arms to enhance the aesthetics of your dancing. It includes gestures, extensions, and shapes that complement footwork and body movements.

Arm styling in salsa can be for men or women, but it’s more commonly a focus for follows (traditionally women) who want to add their own style, flavor or elegance to their movements, to have fun and stand out.

Learn more in the online Salsa Ladies Styling program.

Azúcar!

“Azúcar” is the Spanish word for sugar and is famously associated with Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa. She used it as a catchphrase to energize her performances and fconnect with her audience.

B

Bailador

In Spanish, a “bailador” is a dancer, typically one who dances socially or as a hobby. The term can apply to anyone who enjoys dancing, regardless of professional status.

Bailarín

In Spanish, “bailarín” means a trained or professional dancer, often with formal training and performance experience. The term emphasizes skill and professionalism in dance.

Basic Step

The basic step is the foundational footwork pattern in salsa dancing. It involves a simple sequence of steps that provide the rhythm and structure for more complex movements and patterns.

Body Movement

Body movement refers to the coordinated use of different parts of the body to express rhythm and style in dance. It includes isolations, undulations, and other techniques that enhance the overall dance performance.

In salsa, body movement starts from the ground. Each step and weight shift pushes into the ground causing the hips to move and rotate, often called “cuban motion,” which results in the twisting of the torso, followed by movement in the arms and shoulders.

Learn body movement in the online salsa program.

Boogaloo

Boogaloo (bugalú in Spanish) is a genre of Latin music and dance that emerged in the 1960s in New York City. It combines elements of Afro-Cuban rhythms like son and mambo with American R&B and soul, creating a lively, infectious sound that features a mix of English and Spanish lyrics. The genre was popularized by artists such as Joe Cuba and Pete Rodríguez, known for hits like “Bang Bang” and “I Like It Like That.”

Break Step

The step used by a salsa dancer to change directions on a specific beat. See “Salsa On 1” and “Salsa On 2” for more context.

C

Casino

Casino is a Cuban style of salsa that started in the 1950s in recreational societies, clubs, and ballrooms, often called “Casinos” in Cuba.

It has a rotational structure, using circular movements in its partner work, and is often danced in a circular group formation called a “rueda” or “rueda de casino”. Rueda means wheel in Spanish.

Cha Cha Chá

Cha cha chá is a lively dance style originating from Cuba in the 1950s, characterized by its triple step pattern. It is danced to music with a syncopated rhythm, creating a playful and rhythmic feel.

More specifically, it’s danced on2, contratiempo, connecting closely to the conga. The double open tones of the conga on “4-&” and the “8-&” mark the triple steps for the dancer.

Clave

The clave is a fundamental rhythmic pattern in Afro-Cuban music, consisting of two measures. It serves as the rhythmic foundation for many Latin music styles, including salsa.

The clave rhythm is played by the claves: two short cylindrical sticks that are hit together.

Colombian Salsa (Salsa Caleña)

Colombian salsa, also known as salsa caleña, is a fast-paced style of salsa characterized by quick footwork and intricate steps. It has a rotational structure and often includes acrobatic movements during shows.

Originating in the city of Cali, Colombia—proudly known as the salsa capital of the world—it is the most popular style of salsa in Colombia.

Columbia (Style of Rumba)

Columbia is a fast and acrobatic style of rumba that is typically improvised and performed solo by male dancers, and more recently by some females. It involves complex footwork and improvisation, showcasing the dancer’s agility and creativity.

Contra Dance (Contradanza)

Contra dance, or contradanza, is a traditional dance from Europe (Britain, France, Spain) responsible for bringing the idea of partner dancing to the Americas. It was adapted in Cuba and other Spanish colonies across Latin America. It features a line or circle formation with dancers performing synchronized steps.

Cross-Body Lead

The cross-body lead is a fundamental move in salsa where the leader guides the follower from once side of their body to the other to change places. It is a key transition move that opens up possibilities for various patterns and turns.

Cross-Body Salsa

Cross-body salsa (or linear style salsa) refers to salsa dancing that emphasizes linear movements and the use of the cross-body lead. NY and LA style salsa use this linear cross body lead structure and contrast with rotational styles like Cuban salsa and Colombian style salsa.

Cuban Motion

Cuban motion is a characteristic movement in salsa dancing involving the hips and torso. The figure-eight hip movement creates a fluid and rhythmic motion that enhances the dance’s aesthetic and rhythm.

Cuban Rumba (Rumba Cubana)

Cuban rumba is a traditional Afro-Cuban dance style that includes three main forms: Yambú, Guaguancó, and Columbia. It features complex rhythms and expressive movements.

Cuban Salsa (Salsa Cubana)

Cuban salsa, or Salsa Cubana, is a type of salsa characterized by circular movements and a strong emphasis on rhythm and body movement. It often includes elements of Afro-Cuban dance.

Cumbia

Cumbia is a traditional Colombian dance and music style with African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences. It features a distinctive rhythm and is often danced in a circular pattern.

Cumbia Step

The cumbia step is a basic movement in salsa dancing that mimics the traditional cumbia dance. It involves a rotational back step and side-to-side movement.

D

Danzón

Danzón is the official musical genre and dance of Cuba, originating in the late 19th century. It is elegant and formal, characterized by its slow tempo, instrumental sound and simple footwork.

E

Eddie Torres

A renowned salsa dancer and instructor known for pioneering and popularizing New York style salsa, often called “mambo” or “salsa on 2.” He’s famous for popularizing his on 2 timing of 123-567, with break steps on 2 and 6.

Without Eddie Torres, salsa may not be as global as it is today. Salsa was dying out in New York in the 1980s and Eddie was a big player in its resurgence. It was his dream to bring salsa dancing and Latino culture to the world. Congrats Eddie, you did it.

His son, Eddie Torres Jr., is an amazing dancer and proudly continues his father’s legacy.

F

Fania Records

The record label founded in 1964 by Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Massuci who began using the name “salsa” to promote and globalize Cuban music. By the 1970s Fania was producing around 80% of the salsa records for sale in the US. The majority of their musicians were New York born Puerto Ricans (Nuyoricans) and the sound they created is often called “salsa dura” or “salsa brava.”

Fania All Stars

In 1968, Fania created a line-up of their top band leaders and called it the Fania All Stars. They reached their peak in the 1970s, salsa’s golden era, filling stadiums in the US, Panama, UK and Zaire, Africa. Some of the artists are still active.

Figura

A Spanish term that means a salsa move or turn pattern.

Follower

In partner dancing, the “follower” or “follow” is the person who follows the lead of their partner. In salsa, this role is traditionally taken by the woman but, in modern contexts, any gender can follow.

G

Giro

A Spanish word meaning turn. A “giro básico” is a basic turn.

Guaguancó (Style of Rumba)

Guaguancó is a style of Cuban rumba that involves a dance dialogue between a male and female dancer. It is has a specific conga rhythm and playful interaction.

Guapea

Guapea is a basic Cuban salsa step originally used in rueda de casino. It’s often used as a starting position for more complex moves.

H

Hairbrush

The hairbrush is a styling move in salsa where the dancer’s hand moves over their head, as if brushing their hair. It adds flair and can be incorporated into various dance patterns.

L

Ladies’ Styling

Salsa ladies’ styling refers to the embellishments or stylistic touches that women, or follows, add on top of their basic salsa body movement techniques.

Many follows desire to have natural looking movements, elegant arms and an authentic style to their dancing. And that is what we teach in the online Salsa Ladies Styling program.

LA Style Salsa

LA style salsa, or Los Angeles style salsa, is a linear style of salsa dancing characterized by flashy moves, sharp turns, and dips. It is danced “on 1,” emphasizing the first beat of the music.

Learn salsa on1 in our online salsa program.

Leader

In partner dancing, the “leader” or “lead” is the person who guides their partner. In salsa, this role is traditionally taken by the man but these days any gender can lead.

Linear Salsa

Linear salsa or “salsa en línea” in Spanish, refers to the structural style of salsa that uses a slot and cross body leads. Salsa On 1 (LA style) and Salsa On 2 (NY style) are linear styles of salsa.

M

Mambo

Mambo is originally a Cuban dance and music style that emerged in the 1940s. It is characterized by syncopated rhythms and expressive movements, serving as a precursor to salsa.

Mambo can mean different things in different contexts:

  • The original musical genre and dance from Cuba that developed in the 1940s.
  • The mambo dance of the Palladium era during New York’s mambo craze in the 40s and 50s.
  • Dancing salsa on 2 as it originated in New York after the mambo craze.
  • A section of a song in latin music that as specific characteristics.

Merengue

A music and dance from the Dominican Republic born in the 1800s. Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic. It’s a very simple closed-hold partner dance where you simply walk to the beat. Most movement happens in the lower half of the body as the upper body stays relatively still.

Montuno

In Spanish montuno means “from the mountain”. In the context of Cuban music, montuno typically refers to two things:

  • The final section of a song that is more improvisational or that often features call and response sections.
  • A repeating syncopated piano pattern, also called a guajeo.

N

New York Style Salsa

New York style salsa, also known as “salsa on 2,” is a linear style danced on the second beat of the music. It is known for its smooth, elegant movements and jazz influences. It is a modern style of mambo, differing from both the original Cuban mambo and mambo of the Palladium era, and is often simply called “mambo.”

Learn salsa on2 online in our salsa program.

Nuyorican

Nuyorican refers to someone with Puerto Rican roots who was born and raised in New York City.

O

Orishas

Orishas are deities in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santería, each associated with specific natural elements and human endeavors. Their rhythms and dances are integral to many Afro-Cuban musical traditions. Orishas originally come from the African religion of Yoruba.

P

Pachanga

Pachanga is a lively Cuban dance and music style that emerged in the late 1950s played by orchestras called charangas. It features a playful, bouncy rhythm, flutes and is often danced with quick, shuffling steps.

Peinado / Coronado

“Peinado” and “coronado” are Spanish terms used in salsa to describe what’s often called a hairbrush in English. “Peinado” refers to a movement mimicking combing the hair and “coronado” refers to the same movement, with the idea of being crowned.

Puerto Rican Style Salsa

According to Tito Ortos, a native Puertorican and long time pro salsa dancer, on the island you can find people dancing various styles of salsa to every timing imaginable.

In that sense, instead of thinking of Puerto Rican style salsa as a structural style of salsa, like the linear LA and NY styles or rotational Colombian and Cuban styles, it may be best to think of it as a vibe or feeling that has to be experienced—it’s just the way the locals like to dance.

I believe some people may use this term to refer to dancing linear salsa to “power 2” timing, dancing to beats 234-678, but I’m never sure for the reason mentioned in the first paragraph.

R

Rueda de Casino

Rueda de Casino is a form of Cuban salsa danced in a circle (rueda) with multiple couples. The dance features synchronized moves called out by a leader, with frequent partner exchanges.

Rumba (Cuban Dance)

Rumba is an Afro-Cuban dance and music style with three main forms: Yambú, Guaguancó, and Columbia. It features complex rhythms and expressive, often improvised movements.

There is also a ballroom dance style called rumba but it’s completely unrelated.

Rumba (Party)

Rumba (noun) also means “party” in Latin American Spanish. “Vamos para la rumba!” means “Let’s go party!”

Rumbear (verb): Te gusta rumbear? Do you like to party?

Rumbero(a) (noun/adjective): a man who likes to party is a rumbero and a women is a rumbera. “Él es muy rumbero” means he’s a party guy.

S

Salsa Animation

A salsa animation involves one person leading a group of dancers in synchronized, semi-choreographed routines. It is often used in social dance settings to engage and entertain participants.

Likewise, you could also see an animation for cha-cha-chá or salsa choke.

Salsa Caleña

Salsa Caleña, also known as Colombian salsa, is characterized by its rapid footwork and acrobatic movements. It is a high-energy style of salsa from Cali, Colombia and is popular all over the country.

Salsa Choke

Salsa choke is a modern Colombian salsa style known for its urban influences and fast, rhythmic footwork. Unlike most styles of salsa that involve a partner, salsa choke is danced solo, often during a salsa animation at parties. It blends traditional salsa with contemporary music elements.

Salsa Congress

A salsa congress is a multi-day event featuring salsa workshops, performances, and social dancing. It brings together dancers, instructors, and enthusiasts from around the world.

The first salsa congress was held in Puerto Rico in 1997, organized by Eli Irizarry.

Salsa Cubana

Salsa Cubana, or Cuban salsa, is known for its circular movements and emphasis on rhythm and body movement. It often includes elements of Afro-Cuban dance traditions.

Salsa Dura / Salsa Brava

Salsa dura, literally meaning “hard salsa”, refers to a style of salsa music that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s in New York City, particularly among Puerto Rican and Cuban musicians. Characterized by an energetic and aggressive sound, it strongly emphasizes the instrumental part of the music (piano, bass, horns, percussion, etc.) over the lead vocals.

Salsa Musicality

Salsa musicality involves interpreting and expressing the music through dance movements. It includes understanding timing, instruments, rhythms, melody, and other dynamics of the music to enhance the dance experience.

Salsa On 1

Salsa on 1, commonly known as LA style salsa, is a linear cross-body lead style of salsa where dancers break forward or backward on the first beat of the bar of music, the 1 and 5. Learn it online in our salsa program. 

Salsa On 2

Salsa on 2, also known as New York style salsa, is a linear cross-body lead style of salsa dancers break forward or backward on the second beat of the bar of music, the 2 and 6. Learn it online in our salsa program. 

Salsa Romantica (Salsa Rosa)

Salsa romantica, or salsa rosa, is a subgenre of salsa music that emerged in the 1980s focusing on romantic themes and melodies. It features softer, more lyrical arrangements and is often slower in tempo.

Salsa Timing

Salsa timing refers to the rhythm and counts used in salsa dancing, typically in 8-beat measures. It’s essential for synchronizing movements with the music and a partner.

Although it’s most common to dance and teach salsa On1 and On2, as a dancer, you can choose between dancing On1, On2, On3 or On4. The number refers to which beat of the music your break step is on.

Salsera

A “salsera” is a female salsa dancer. The term can refer to anyone who enjoys dancing salsa, regardless of skill level or professional status.

Salsero

A “salsero” is a male salsa dancer. It applies to anyone who dances salsa, from social dancers to professionals.

Shines

When doing solo footwork and styling in salsa, it’s called doing “shines”.  Shines can either be improvised or choreographed and provide an opportunity for individual expression and creativity.

During a social dance, the leader will often let go of the follower, allowing them to do shines and express themselves freely to the music.

Learn shines in our online salsa program.

Social Dancing

Social dancing involves dancing with a partner in a social setting, such as a club or dance party. It emphasizes connection, improvisation, and enjoyment.

Son (Son Cubano)

Son cubano is a traditional Cuban music and dance that combines Spanish and African influences.

The music was developed in the mountainous region of Cuba’s Oriente province in the late 1800s. It’s the precursor to salsa and, in its original form, featured vocals, a tres guitar, clave rhythm, bongós and maracas. It is danced contratiempo to beats 234-678.

Son Montuno

Son montuno is a subgenre of son cubano music developed by Arsenio Rodríguez in the 1940s, incorporating elements of African rhythms and jazz.

Rodríguez’s innovation was taking the traditional son group structure of 6 or 7 members (sextetos and septetos) and creating the conjunto, adding a second and third trumpet, piano and conga. His bongo player also played a cowbell during the montuno section and Rodriguez introduced the concept of layered guajeos.

This son montuno dance music provided the template for what we call salsa today.

Syncopation

Syncopation involves placing accents on off-beats or unexpected parts of the rhythm. It creates a dynamic, lively feel and is a key element in salsa music.

When dancing, it refers to stepping on the “&’s” between the beats. For example…

Non syncopated: 1-2-3-4

Syncopated: 1-&-2-3-4

T

Toque

In the context of Afro-Cuban music, “toque” refers to the specific drumming patterns used in religious ceremonies. Each toque corresponds to different orishas and their associated rhythms.

The idea is to dance appropriately to the toque that is being played. For example, if you hear the toque that corresponds to Eleggua, you do Eleggua’s steps.

Tumbao

A tumbao is a repetitive rhythmic pattern played on the bass and congas in salsa music. It provides the groove and foundation for the dance.

Think of tumbao as meaning rhythm. You can also say “she has tumbao!”

Turn Pattern

When you combine individual moves, turns and spins into a sequence, it’s called a turn pattern in salsa. It involves coordinated movements between the leader and follower and can either be improvised or choreographed.

W

Wepa!

“Wepa” is a versatile Latin-American Spanish slang exclamation used to express excitement, congratulations, and joy. It’s similar to “Woohoo!”, “Yeah!”, “Wow!”, or “That’s awesome!”. In Colombia you’ll also hear it as “Epaaa!”

Y

Yambú (Style of Rumba)

Yambú is the slowest and oldest form of Cuban rumba. It features gentle, flirtatious movements and is often performed with a soft, rhythmic accompaniment.

Yoruba

A religion practiced by the Yoruba people of present day Southwestern Nigeria. Brought to Cuba during the Atlantic slave trade (1500s-1800s), Yoruba has had a significant influence on Afro-Cuban culture, music and dance – the roots of salsa.