Verb · A1 · Spanish glossary

Bailar: to dance

bailar

Pronunciation: by-LAHR (stress the capital letters)

Bailar means “to dance” in English.

Quick answer

  • Meaning: to dance
  • How to say it: by-LAHR
  • Present: yo bailo, tú bailas
  • Level: Beginner (A1)

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What “bailar” means and how to use it

Bailar means “to dance.” The noun is el baile (the dance).

How to conjugate “bailar”

Present tense and key past forms
WhoSpanishEnglish
yobailoI
túbailasyou (informal)
él, ella, ustedbailahe, she, you (formal)
nosotrosbailamoswe
ellos, ustedesbailanthey, you all
Past (preterite)yo bailé, él bailóI / he or she
Past participlebailadoused with haber

Examples with audio

  • Me gusta bailar salsa.I like to dance salsa.
  • ¿Bailamos esta canción?Shall we dance to this song?
  • Mis amigas bailan muy bien.My friends dance very well.

Usage tip

Use bailar for dancing in general and “un baile” for a specific dance or event.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “to dance” in Spanish?

“to dance” in Spanish is “bailar.” It is pronounced by-LAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.

How do you pronounce “bailar”?

Say by-LAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.

What is the past tense of “bailar”?

In the preterite, “yo” is “bailé” and “él” is “bailó.” The past participle is “bailado.”

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