舞踊(ぶよう)

ぶよう
noun
dancing; dance; choreography
formalleisure
1. dancing; dance (as an art form)
The art of dancing, especially traditional or artistic dance forms.
日本(にほん)舞踊(ぶよう)を学(まな)ぶ。
To learn Japanese traditional dance.
I watched a dance performance.

舞踊(ぶよう) is a formal, artistic term for dance, encompassing both Japanese traditional dance and Western dance forms.

Etymology

舞(ぶ) (classical dance, twirling) + 踊(よう) (lively dance, jumping). Together they cover the full range of dance as art.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • ダンス: dance (loanword, everyday, modern dance styles)
  • 踊(おど)り: dance (general, everyday)
  • バレエ: ballet
  • 舞(まい): classical Japanese dance (more specific, traditional)