to dance [verb] [danste, gedanst; ‘dan-sun’]

The verb ‘dansen’ is used for any kind of dancing if clear from context. See ‘Related words’ for specific styles of dancing.

Examples:
– "Zullen we morgenavond gaan dansen?"
("Shall we go dancing tomorrow night?")

– "Ik dans het liefst de salsa."
("I prefer to dance the salsa.")

– "Weet jij een goede dansgelegenheid?"
("Do you know a good place to dance?" The word ‘gelegenheid’ is an opportunity to do something or a location where this opportunity can take place. ‘Dansgelegenheid’ is a bit formal, see next example for another common sentence.)

– "Weet jij een leuke plek om te gaan dansen?"
("Do you know a nice/good spot to go dancing?")

Expressions:
– "Een dansje wagen.": lit. "to dare a dance" this is informally used to say that someone is going to the dancefloor. It does not necessarily imply that the person is reluctant to do so.

Example:
– "Kijk! Opa waagt een dansje!"
("Look! Grandpa is going to dance!")

– "Als de kat van huis is dansen de muizen (op tafel).": when the cat’s away, the mice will play (lit. "when the cat is away from home, the mice dance (on the table).")

Related words:
– "Dansplek": spot/place to go dancing.

– "Danstent": spot/place to go dancing. It is common to use the word ‘tent’ (which translates to ‘tent’) informally for clubs or venues.

– "Dansles": dancing class/lessons.

Example:
– "Ik zit al jaren op dansles."
("I have been taking dancing lessons for years now.")

– "Volksdansen": folk dancing, country dancing.
– "Stijldansen": ballroom dancing.
– "Discodansen": disco dancing.