Salsa Dance Glossary
Your Complete Guide to Salsa Terminology
Master the language of salsa with our comprehensive glossary. From basic steps to advanced moves, learn every term you'll hear on the dance floor.
Lost in Translation at My First Congress
My first salsa congress was overwhelming in the best possible way. World-class instructors, hundreds of dancers, workshops running from morning to midnight. But there was one problem: I had no idea what anyone was talking about. "Cross body lead into a copa!" the instructor would call out, and I'd look around desperately, trying to copy whoever seemed to know what that meant.
I started keeping notes on my phone. Every new term, every move name, every piece of salsa vocabulary I encountered. By the end of that weekend, I had pages of scribbled definitions. That list eventually became the foundation for this glossary. Looking back, I realize how much faster I would have progressed if I'd had a resource like this from the start.
Whether you're preparing for your first class, trying to understand what instructors mean in YouTube tutorials, or just want to sound like you know what you're talking about at socials – this glossary is for you. Bookmark it, reference it, and before long, terms like "dile que no" and "setenta" will roll off your tongue like you've been dancing for years.
Basic Concepts
10 termsBasic Step
The foundational 8-count step pattern in salsa. Leaders step forward on 1, followers step back. The pattern includes holds on counts 4 and 8.
On1
The most common salsa timing where the break step (first step) occurs on beat 1 of the music. Also called "LA Style timing."
On2
A salsa timing where the break step occurs on beat 2 of the music. Associated with New York Style and Mambo. Creates a different musical interpretation.
Break Step
The first directional step in the basic pattern that initiates the movement. In On1, this is the forward step on count 1.
Frame
The structure created by the arms, shoulders, and core that maintains connection between partners. A good frame allows for clear leading and following.
Connection
The physical and musical link between dance partners. Includes hand holds, body contact, and responsiveness to each other's movements.
Lead
The role of initiating and guiding movements in partner dancing. The lead uses subtle body movements and hand pressure to communicate moves.
Follow
The role of responding to and interpreting the lead's signals while adding personal styling. Good following requires active listening through the body.
Closed Position
A partner hold where dancers face each other with the lead's right hand on the follow's back and left hands joined. Used for basic steps and close movements.
Open Position
A partner hold where dancers are connected only by one or both hands, allowing for more complex patterns and turns.
Moves & Patterns
15 termsCross Body Lead (CBL)
The most fundamental move in salsa after the basic step. The lead steps aside while guiding the follow to cross in front to the opposite side.
Right Turn
Also called "Outside Turn." The follow turns clockwise (to their right) while the lead guides with their left hand.
Left Turn
Also called "Inside Turn." The follow turns counter-clockwise (to their left), typically after a cross body lead.
Copa
A move where the follow is wrapped and unwrapped, often ending in a dip or dramatic pose. Creates beautiful visual lines.
Enchufla
A Cuban-style move where partners switch places, often incorporating arm positions and styling.
Dile Que No
Spanish for "tell him no." A fundamental Cuban salsa move similar to the cross body lead but with different arm styling.
Suzie Q
A footwork pattern where the dancer twists on the balls of their feet, alternating direction. Common in shines and solo work.
Setenta
Spanish for "seventy." A popular combination that involves multiple turns and often a wrapped position, traditionally taking 70 counts.
Sombrero
A move where the arms pass over the follow's head like putting on a hat (sombrero). Creates a dramatic visual moment.
Vacilala
A playful move where the follow is led into turns while the lead admires their movement. Means "check her out" in Spanish.
Hammer Lock
A position where one arm is bent behind the back, creating tension that can be released into a turn.
Shoulder Check
A move where the follow's momentum is stopped and reversed, often used to change direction or set up combinations.
Dip
A dramatic move where the follow leans back supported by the lead. Often used as a highlight or at the end of a song.
Basket
A wrapped position where both arms cross in front of the body. Can lead to various unwrapping turns.
Pretzel
A complex arm position that looks like a twisted pretzel. Requires good arm coordination to execute and untangle.
Styles & Techniques
10 termsLA Style
Los Angeles style salsa, characterized by flashy moves, acrobatics, and theatrical presentation. Danced on1 timing, often in a slot.
NY Style
New York style salsa (also called Mambo) danced on2 timing. Known for smooth, elegant movement and musicality. Danced in a slot.
Cuban Style
Also called Casino. Circular movement patterns rather than linear slots. Features Afro-Cuban body movement and rueda formations.
Casino
The Cuban name for their style of salsa. Danced in a circular motion with strong African-influenced body movement.
Colombian Style
Characterized by fast footwork and minimal upper body movement. Features intricate leg work and rapid direction changes.
Puerto Rican Style
A style that blends elements of NY style with Puerto Rican musical interpretation. Can be danced on1 or on2.
Shines
Solo footwork and styling done without a partner, typically when partners separate during a song. Allows for individual expression.
Afro-Cuban
Dance movements and styling derived from African traditions brought to Cuba. Includes body isolations and grounded movement.
Rueda de Casino
A group dance where multiple couples dance in a circle, with a caller announcing moves that everyone performs simultaneously.
Slot
An imaginary line that partners dance along in linear styles like LA and NY. Partners exchange ends of the slot.
Music & Rhythm
14 termsClave
The foundational rhythmic pattern in salsa music, played on wooden sticks (also called claves). The 2-3 or 3-2 pattern structures the entire song.
2-3 Clave
A clave pattern with 2 beats in the first bar and 3 in the second. Common in Cuban son and many salsa songs.
3-2 Clave
A clave pattern with 3 beats in the first bar and 2 in the second. Often heard in salsa dura and mambo.
Tumbao
The characteristic bass pattern in salsa music. Also refers to the rhythmic feel created by the bass and conga combination.
Montuno
The syncopated piano pattern that drives salsa music. Also refers to the section of a song where call-and-response vocals occur.
Mambo Section
The instrumental break in a salsa song, perfect for showing off shines and flashy moves. Often the most energetic part.
Conga
Tall, barrel-shaped drums that provide the main percussion in salsa. The rhythms played drive the dancers' hip movements.
Bongos
Small paired drums played between the knees. Provide higher-pitched accents and improvisations in salsa music.
Timbales
Shallow, single-headed drums mounted on a stand. Known for dramatic fills and the characteristic "cascara" pattern.
Son
A Cuban music genre that is one of the primary roots of modern salsa. Features the tres guitar and traditional rhythms.
Mambo
Both a music style and dance that heavily influenced modern salsa. The NY style is directly descended from mambo dancing.
Timba
Modern Cuban salsa music characterized by complex rhythms, extended arrangements, and fusion with other genres.
Salsa Dura
Spanish for "hard salsa." Traditional, percussion-heavy salsa music from the 1970s. Favored by purists and mambo dancers.
Salsa Romantica
A softer style of salsa music from the 1980s-90s featuring romantic lyrics and smoother arrangements.
Alphabetical Index
💡 Did You Know?
The Word "Salsa"
"Salsa" means "sauce" in Spanish. The name reflects how the dance is a spicy mix of various Latin American and Caribbean dance traditions.
Cross Body Lead Origins
The cross body lead became the signature move of salsa to help dancers navigate crowded New York dance floors in the 1970s.
Casino Dance Circle
Cuban "Casino" gets its name from the social clubs (casinos) where Cubans gathered to dance in the 1950s.
The Clave Pattern
The clave rhythm is so fundamental that experienced dancers can tell if a musician is playing "in clave" or "out of clave" instantly.
Ready to Put These Terms Into Practice?
Now that you know the vocabulary, it's time to learn the moves! Start with our beginner-friendly tutorials.
Social Dancing
10 termsSocial Dancing
Dancing at clubs, parties, or events with various partners. No choreography - leaders improvise based on the music and partner.
Salsa Social
An event dedicated to social dancing, typically with a DJ and sometimes a pre-party lesson. Also called a "practica."
Congress
A large salsa festival featuring workshops, performances, and social dancing. Major congresses attract dancers from around the world.
Floor Craft
The skill of navigating the dance floor safely, avoiding collisions with other couples while maintaining your dance.
Cabeceo
A subtle nod or eye contact used to invite someone to dance. Common in traditional Latin dance settings.
Tanda
A set of songs (usually 3-4) that partners dance together before switching. More common in tango but used in some salsa events.
Practica
A practice session, usually less formal than a social. Good for working on new moves with different partners.
Musicality
The ability to interpret and express the music through dance. Includes hitting accents, matching energy, and playing with rhythm.
Styling
Personal flair and embellishments added to basic moves. Includes arm styling, body movement, and expression.
Spotting
A technique for maintaining balance during turns by focusing on a fixed point and whipping the head around quickly.