tanec

Tanec is a term in several Slavic languages meaning "dance." In Czech and Slovak, tanec denotes the act of dancing and the broader art form, used in dictionaries, education, media, and cultural discourse as a general noun for dance.

Etymology and cognates: The word belongs to a family of Slavic terms for movement and rhythmic motion. Related forms appear across languages, such as Polish taniec (dance), Russian танец (tanets), and Ukrainian танець (tanets). Spelling and pronunciation vary by language, but the core meaning remains "dance."

Usage and forms: Tanec covers a range of practices, including traditional folk dances, modern and contemporary works, and social or ballroom styles. It is performed and learned in communities, schools, theaters, and festivals, and may appear in the names of dance companies, ensembles, or events.

Cultural significance: In many Slavic and neighboring cultures, tanec contributes to social cohesion, ritual life, and regional or national identity. Ethnographic studies, choreographic repertoires, and festival programming help preserve and reinterpret tanec for successive generations.