der  Tango

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtaŋɡo/

💃 What exactly is a Tango?

Der Tango is a world-renowned social dance and competitive dance, originally from the Río de la Plata region (Argentina and Uruguay). It refers to both the dance style and the associated music genre.

The Tango is characterized by its passionate, often dramatic and melancholic nature. The music is typically written in 2/4 or 4/4 time.

There is only this one article for the word: der Tango. There are no other meanings with different articles. Masculine nouns ending in -o that come from Italian or Spanish are often masculine (der Espresso, der Saldo), which is also the case here (although Tango isn't directly Italian, it fits the pattern).

🧐 Grammar & Declension of 'der Tango'

The noun "Tango" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Sie tanzen einen leidenschaftlichen Tango.
   (They are dancing a passionate tango.)
2. Die Musik dieses Tangos ist sehr melancholisch.
   (The music of this tango is very melancholic.)
3. Wir hören gerne argentinischen Tangos zu.
   (We like listening to Argentinian tangos.)
4. Er lernt gerade die Schritte für den Tango Argentino.
   (He is currently learning the steps for the Tango Argentino.)

How to use 'Tango'?

"Tango" is mainly used in contexts related to dance and music.

• Dance events: "Am Samstagabend gehen wir zum Tango tanzen." (On Saturday evening, we're going tango dancing.)
• Music description: "Das Orchester spielte mehrere bekannte Tangos." (The orchestra played several well-known tangos.)
• Dance classes: "Ich habe mich für einen Tango-Kurs angemeldet." (I have signed up for a tango course.)
• Cultural context: Often, "Tango Argentino" is specifically mentioned to distinguish it from European standard dances.

The word is rarely used metaphorically, but one could theoretically use it for a complicated, back-and-forth interaction (though this is uncommon).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Tango'

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Tänzer (the male dancer), the man leading the Tango. Tango sounds masculine and strong – hence der Tango.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you need lots of energy to 'go' dancing the Tan-go! It's a dance.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

• Argentinischer Tango: Often used to emphasize the origin and style.
• (No direct, common single-word synonyms)

Antonyms (in the sense of dance styles):

There are no direct antonyms. However, one could mention other dances as a contrast:

• Walzer: Flowing, turning dance in 3/4 time.
• Salsa: Upbeat Latin American dance with different rhythms.
• Foxtrott: Standard dance with calmer, linear movements.

Similar, but different terms:

• Fandango: A Spanish dance, not directly related to Tango.
• Bolero: A slow Latin American dance/music style.

😂 A little Joke

Warum hat der Tänzer aufgehört, Tango zu tanzen?
Er sagte: "It takes two to Tango, aber meine Partnerin ist immer einen Schritt voraus... oder zurück... ich weiß es nie genau!"

Translation: Why did the dancer stop dancing the Tango?
He said: "It takes two to Tango, but my partner is always one step ahead... or behind... I never know exactly!"

📜 A Tango Poem

Der Tango, rot und schwarz,
Ein Tanz voll Leidenschaft und Schmerz.
Zwei Körper nah, ein ernster Blick,
Im Rhythmus vor und dann zurück.
Musik, die Sehnsucht tief entfacht,
In einer langen, dunklen Nacht.

Translation:
The Tango, red and black,
A dance full of passion and ache.
Two bodies close, a serious gaze,
In rhythm forward and back it sways.
Music that kindles deep desire,
In a long, dark night set afire.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme aus Argentinien, bin mal heiß, mal kühl,
Brauche zwei Personen und viel Gefühl.
Meine Musik ist oft melancholisch und klar,
Man tanzt mich eng, Paar für Paar.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I come from Argentina, sometimes hot, sometimes cool,
I need two people and lots of feeling (or: sensitivity).
My music is often melancholic and clear,
People dance me closely, pair by pair.

What am I?
Solution: der Tango

🌐 Trivia about the Tango

• Origin: Emerged in the late 19th century in the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay).
• UNESCO World Heritage: In 2009, Tango was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
• Word Origin: The etymology of the word "Tango" is not definitively clear. Possible origins lie in African languages, Latin (tangere = to touch), or old Spanish words.