| Word/expression | Explanation |
| Abrazo cerrado (close embrace) | The dancers’ chests are closer to each other than their hips, and often there is contact at about the level of the chest (the contact point differing, depending on the height of the leader and the closeness of the embrace). In close embrace, the leader and the follower’s chests are in contact and they are dancing with their heads touching or very near each other. |
| Abrazo abierto (open embrace) | In open embrace, there can be as much space as desired between the partners, but there should always be complete contact along the embracing arms to give optimum communication. Argentine tango dancers do not hold their upper bodies arched away from each other; each partner is over their own axis. Whether open or closed, a tango embrace is not rigid, but relaxed, like a hug. |
| Americana | Walking by facing the same direction and stepping forward. This resembles a walk in the park by sweethearts (except they may hold their hands together whereas in tango the embrace is preserved). This walk can be initiated by salida Americana. |
| Apile | Position in which both partners are leaning forward, may vary in degree of the tilt or shape. Many fluid and elegant tango figures can be danced in volcada position. |
| Barrida (arrastre) | One partner sweeps the others foot by displacing it along the floor. |
| Boleo/voleo | Sharp movement of the leg often interrupted or suspended. The follower lifts her foot from the floor and it flies to the side and wraps around her standing leg in front of her knee; boleos can be high (alto) or low (bajo). This move is alternatively named boleo and voleo in Spanish. |
| Cadencia | Weight change in place. Used, for example, in Position 8 of the basic step (salida). It is used as subtle lead during breaks or to adjust the follow position. |
| Caminata | Walk |
| Colgada | Off-axis move in which follower leans back while being supported by leader’s arms. Simple colgadas can be executed during woman’s step over leader foot. For variants see colgada shapes: hip-under colgada describes colgada with followers hips under her rib cage; plank or straight colgada is when her back tilt is without pronounced bend. |
| Cruce | Crossed left foot in front of the right foot. See also Position 5 (salida). |
| Enrosque | Leader or follower is pivoting and twists his or her legs in corkscrew action. Often initiated with needle (aguja) position of a foot. |
| Entrada | See sacada. |
| Gancho | One dancer hooks her or his leg around their partner’s leg. |
| Giro | Giro is a turning step of the follower around the leader’s axis (called the molinete or windmill). A common name for this figure is the «grapevine», alternating front and back steps connected by a side step. It is composed of several steps which complete a circle. One of the most common variants is composed of 4 steps (forward step, open step, back step, open step). Sequence of giro steps can follow square or be executed in circular motion (vals). Variants may include just 3 steps around the leader. |
| Lapiz | Leader is pivoting with his leg extended and foot and toes pointing towards floor. |
| Lustrada | Rubbing shoe or foot up and down partner’s pants or leg. |
| Ocho | A figure «eight» traced on the floor by the follower’s feet. |
| Ocho cortado | Sudden change of direction leading the follower to cross during her forward walk. |
| Parada | The leader halts the motion of the follower’s turning by placing his foot close to her foot. |
| Pasada | Stepping over the leaders foot in an elegant way. Depending on the follower’s preferences she can do variations such as lustrada; she can raise her leg high or keep it low |
| Paso | Step |
| Pivot | Swing around azis |
| Planeo | Pivoting on one leg with the other leg stretched out. |
| Rebotes | Change of direction, bounce. For example, after salida americana partners step forward and change direction to step back. Rock-step. |
| Sacada | Leader’s leg replaces partner’s unweighted leg position. Entrada doesn’t influence movement of the follower’s leg. This movement is called entrada or sacada in Spanish depending on instructor |
| Salida |
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| Sistema paralelo | The leader steps with his left leg forward, the follower steps with her right leg back; the leader steps with his right leg forward and the follower with her left leg back |
| Sistema cruzado (crossed) | The leader steps with his right leg forward, the follower steps with her right leg back; the leader steps with his left leg forward and the follower with her left leg back |
| Volcada | Off-axis move in which the follower leans forward and does forward or back cross or decorative figures with her legs. Volcadas can be done in open and closed embrace. In case of closed embrace she is supported by the leader’s torso. In open embrace the leader’s arm provides support for the suspension. See also apile. |