• Plié: Plié—pronounced plee-AY—is a bending movement where the dancer smoothly bends the knees while keeping the heels on the floor (in a demi-plié) or allowing them to lift slightly (in a grand plié).

 

In French, plié means “bent,” because the knees are flexed to lower the body while maintaining proper alignment. It’s performed with control and fluidity, helping to warm up the muscles, improve flexibility, and prepare the body for jumps, turns, and other movements in ballet.

 

• Relevé: Relevé—pronounced ruh-luh-VAY—is a rising movement where the dancer lifts onto the balls of the feet (demi-pointe) or the tips of the toes (pointe) with control and balance.

 

In French, relevé means “raised,” because the body is lifted upward from a plié or straight-leg position. It’s performed with strength and stability, engaging the core, legs, and feet to maintain balance, and is essential for turns, jumps, and sustained poses in ballet technique.

 

• Tendu: Tendu—pronounced tahn-DEW—is a smooth, controlled movement where the working foot slides along the floor to a fully pointed position without lifting off.

 

In French, tendu means “stretched,” because the leg and foot are fully extended while remaining in contact with the floor. It’s performed with precision and strength, often as a foundational exercise to build alignment, articulation, and muscle control, and is used throughout all levels of ballet training.

 

• Dégagé: Dégagé—pronounced day-gah-ZHAY—is a quick, precise movement where the working leg brushes off the floor to a pointed position just a few inches in the air.

 

In French, dégagé means “disengaged,” because the foot momentarily leaves the floor, separating from the supporting leg. It’s performed with energy and control, often as a preparation for larger jumps or steps, helping to build speed, strength, and articulation in the feet and legs

 

• Chaîné Turns: Chaîné turns—pronounced sheh-NAY—are traveling turns that move across the floor in a straight line, like a chain of half-turns linked together. 

In fact, chaîné is the French word for "chained," because each turn connects directly to the next. They’re performed on two straight legs with a quick, turning motion, using small, controlled steps and coordinated upper body movement.

 

• Piqué turns: Piqué turns—pronounced pee-KAY—are elegant, traveling turns performed by stepping directly onto a straight leg, usually onto demi-pointe (or full pointe for pointe dancers), and turning with the other leg in a lifted position—typically in retiré.

​

The word piqué means "to prick" in French, and that’s exactly the feeling you want when you do this turn: a sharp, clean step onto the working leg, followed by a controlled rotation.

Piqué turns move across the floor, often in a diagonal line or in a circular pattern, and require a strong sense of alignment, balance, and momentum.

 

• Pirouettes: Pirouettes—pronounced peer-oo-ET—are one of the most iconic types of turns in ballet. A pirouette is a controlled spin performed on one leg, usually with the other leg in retiré (a position where the toe is placed near the knee of the supporting leg).

​

Unlike traveling turns like chaînés or piqués, pirouettes are usually done in place and can be performed en dehors (turning away from the supporting leg) or en dedans (turning toward it).

Pirouettes begin with a strong preparation—either from a plié in fourth position, fifth position, or even from a lunge—followed by a quick push into relevé and a smooth, centered rotation.