Verbs and Action
The sentences in context show only one or two instances of how the verbs in the infinitive can be used. Keep in mind there are more ways of using these verbs. Everything written in this page is in the context of samba dancing. Some sentences reflect what an instructor would say, and others a student.
ABRIR = to open abre mais = open more
ACELERAR
acelera mais um pouquinho = go a little faster
AFUNDAR
afunda = sink (literally.) Refers to a specific movement when one foot steps or slides back. A hip roll or movement can be added simultaneously. The other foot doesn’t move back or forward but steps in place. Often corresponds to a half count+count “and 1”
ARRASAR
arrasou! = you killed it! (colloquial)
BATER
bate o quadril = shake/move your hips bate mais = shake/move them more
COLOCAR
coloca o braço mais pra frente = place your arm a little more forward
CONTINUAR
continua = keep going
CRUZAR
cruza as pernas = cross your legs
DANÇAR
dança sem parar = dance without stopping
DOER
minhas pernas doem e meu pé dói também = my legs hurt and my foot hurts too
ENTRAR
entra no samba quando você entra no palco = start dancing samba (can refer to the transition from a dance movement to the actual samba step) when you go on stage
Entrar no palco, entrar em cena = to go on stage
ESTAR
estou um pouco perdida/o na sequência = I’m a bit lost in the sequence/routine
estou muito feliz de dançar com vocês = I’m very happy to dance with you all!
ESTICAR
estica a perna = stretch your leg
FAZER
faz a sequência = do/run the sequence
GIRAR
gira mais o quadril = turn/rotate your hips more
IR
Vai! Vai embora! Bora, bora! = Go! Go ahead! Let’s go, let’s go!
JOGAR
joga o cabelo = use/play with your hair
joga mais! = put more energy!
jogou! = you killed it! (colloquial)
LIMPAR
limpa a sequência = clean the sequence
limpa com o pé direito = clean with your right foot (movement that looks like the dancer is sliding the tip of their toe/shoe on the floor)
MACHUCAR
machuquei o ombro dançando = I injured/hurt my shoulder while dancing
OLHAR
olha pra mim/pra ela = look at me/at her
OBSERVAR
observa o movimento = observe/pay attention to the movement
PARAR
não para! Não é pra parar! = don’t stop! Don’t stop!
PISAR
pisa, pisa, gira = step, step, turn
PODER
pode girar mais = you can move/rotate your hips more
PULAR
você ainda pula quando samba = you are still bouncing when you samba
pula depois do giro = jump after the turn
QUEBRAR
quebra! = get it! (colloquial)
REBOLAR
rebola! = do a rebolada! (refers to a hip rotation/hip whine. This movement is called rebolada and is when the dancer “hits all the corners” by tracing a circle with their hips)
SAMBAR
vai sambando = go ahead and samba/keep samba-ing
só samba = just samba
SEGURAR
segura o/seu tronco = hold your upper body still
SOLTAR
solta esse quadril! = release those hips!
quando a música começar, se solta, se entrega! = when the music starts, don’t hold back, surrender!
SUBIR
sobe na ponta do pé = stand on tiptoes
sobe mais os braços = lift your arms more
TER
hoje tenho uma dor muscular nas coxas = today my thighs are sore
tenho dificuldade com o pulo = I have a hard time with the jump
você tem uma dica para melhorar minha musicalidade? = do you have any tips to improve my musicality?
TIRAR
tira o pé do chão = lift your feet off the floor
TRAVAR
está travando/travou = it’s frozen/it froze (refers to the image when taking online classes)
trava o abdômen = contract your abdomen/suck your stomach in
TRAZER
traz a perna pá trás = bring your left back
VIRAR
vira de costas = turn around
vira pro lado esquerdo = turn to the left
