01
das Ballett
ballet
A form of artistic stage dance with set techniques and poses, often performed to classical music.
example
Ihre Tochter möchte unbedingt Ballett lernen.
Her daughter really wants to learn ballet.
das Ballett
ballet
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clues
You can recognize the three meanings of 'Ballett' (ballet) from context. The art form is often used without an article ('Ballett tanzen' — to dance ballet). The performance usually appears with an article ('das Ballett ansehen' — to watch the ballet). The ensemble is often specified more closely with a genitive ('das Ballett der Oper' — the ballet company of the opera).
EXAMPLE
Meine Nichte lernt seit einem Jahr Ballett.
My niece has been learning ballet for a year.
Typical verbs
When 'Ballett' (ballet) refers to the art form, it is often combined with the verbs 'lernen' (to learn), 'tanzen' (to dance), 'üben' (to practice), or colloquially also 'machen' (to do).
EXAMPLE
Er wollte schon immer professionell Ballett tanzen.
He always wanted to dance ballet professionally.
Going to the ballet
The phrase 'ins Ballett gehen' (to go to the ballet) almost always means that you attend a performance as an audience member. The destination of movement is expressed with 'in' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Gehen wir am Freitag zusammen ins Ballett?
Shall we go to the ballet together on Friday?
Compare with
Ballett vs Vorstellung
idea / performance / introduction
'die Vorstellung' and 'das Ballett' can both fit an event on a stage. However, 'Vorstellung' is the general word for a performance or showing, for example in a theater, cinema, or circus. 'Ballett' refers either to the dance form itself or to a performance featuring this dance. Learners may confuse the words when talking about an evening at the theater. If the only important point is that something is being performed at a specific time, 'Vorstellung' fits. If it is specifically about classical stage dance, 'Ballett' is more precise.
Ballett
Am Samstag sieht Anna zum ersten Mal ein Ballett in der Oper.
On Saturday, Anna is seeing a ballet at the opera house for the first time.
Vorstellung
Die Vorstellung beginnt heute Abend um acht Uhr.
The performance starts at eight o'clock this evening.
In real life
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