French · Everyday Verbs

"to dance" in French: danser

danser

Say it: dahn-SAYverb/dɑ̃.se/

To dance in French is danser. Je danse means I dance. On danse ? invites someone onto the floor. Do not confuse the verb with the preposition dans (in).

Wedding

Tout le monde danse sur la terrasse.
Everyone is dancing on the terrace.
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How to pronounce danser

Say it

dahn-SAY

/dɑ̃.se/

dahn-SAY. Nasal an; final er like ay. Je danse: zhuh dahns.

"to dance" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
danserto dance

Infinitive.

je danse / tu dansesI dance / you dance

Present.

on danse ?shall we dance?

Invitation.

danser toute la nuitto dance all night

Party talk.

dansédanced

Past participle.

How to use danser in real life

  1. 1Wedding

    Tout le monde danse sur la terrasse.

    Everyone is dancing on the terrace.

    Danse / dansent.

  2. 2Club

    Tu danses avec moi sur cette chanson ?

    Will you dance with me to this song?

    Tu danses.

  3. 3Class

    Nous dansons la salsa le mardi.

    We dance salsa on Tuesdays.

    Nous dansons.

Mistakes English speakers make with danser

Incorrect: Je dans la salle. (meaning dance)

Correct: Je danse dans la salle.

Danser is the verb; dans is only the preposition in.

Incorrect: Je suis danser.

Correct: Je danse. / J'aime danser.

Conjugate danser; don't stack être + infinitive for I dance.

Good to know

Bal populaire nights get everyone to danser outdoors. Kids' parties start with on danse ? Guinguettes still mean outdoor dancing by the water.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

At a party

  1. ChatPal

    Tu danses ce soir ?

    Are you dancing tonight?

  2. You

    Oui, je danse dès la première chanson.

    Yes, I dance from the first song.

  3. ChatPal

    Parfait, on y va.

    Perfect, let's go.

  4. You

    Je te rejoins sur la piste.

    I'll meet you on the floor.

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"to dance" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "to dance" in French

How do you say to dance in French?

Danser.

How do you say I dance?

Je danse.

Danser vs dans?

Danser = to dance; dans = in.

How do you invite someone to dance?

On danse ? / Tu danses avec moi ?

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