What is the English translation of Chassé?

What is the English translation of Chassé?

• A. Chasing step
• B. Gliding step
• C. Hopping step
• D. Turning step

Answer: (A)

Chassé is a French term literally meaning to chase. The step is performed with a smooth, sliding action where one foot seems to chase the other along the floor to close the position, with weight transferred onto the new foot. Because of this, the most accurate English label used in Cecchetti and common ballet teaching is “chasing step.” It isn’t a hopping step, which would involve a jump, nor a turning step, which changes direction with a rotation. Describing the motion as gliding captures the smoothness, but the name reflects the chasing character of the movement.

Chassé is a French term literally meaning to chase. The step is performed with a smooth, sliding action where one foot seems to chase the other along the floor to close the position, with weight transferred onto the new foot. Because of this, the most accurate English label used in Cecchetti and common ballet teaching is “chasing step.” It isn’t a hopping step, which would involve a jump, nor a turning step, which changes direction with a rotation. Describing the motion as gliding captures the smoothness, but the name reflects the chasing character of the movement.