soutenu

Soutenu is a term from classical ballet, derived from the French word meaning “sustained.” In ballet technique, it describes a movement in which the working leg closes to the supporting leg in fifth position, typically while the dancer rises to relevé or pointe. It is most commonly used as a turning step, known as soutenu en tournant.

In its turning form, the dancer begins in a fifth position on one leg with the other leg in a prepared, often retiré or passé position. The weight shifts to the supporting leg as the working leg closes to fifth, and the dancer rotates to finish facing a new direction in fifth position. The turn may be a single revolution or multiple, and can be executed en dehors (turning outward) or en dedans (turning inward). Soutenu can also refer to the non-turning closing movement used to link steps in sequences such as adagio or pirouette combinations.

Soutenu requires precise balance, turnout, and controlled weight transfer. It serves as a fundamental building block in many classical variations and repertoire, and is commonly taught early in ballet training as a basic yet versatile turning and alignment exercise. The term reflects the French heritage of ballet terminology and appears across pedagogical methods and choreographies, with nuances that may vary slightly between schools.