polka
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polka
A fast, lively couple dance in 2/4 time that originally comes from Bohemia and is popular in folk and entertainment music.
Auf dem Volksfest tanzten die Paare ausgelassen Polka zur Musik der Blaskapelle.
At the folk festival, the couples danced the polka exuberantly to the music of the brass band.
The name 'Polka' (polka) comes from the Czech word 'půlka', which means 'half.' It refers to the short, quick half-steps that are characteristic of the dance.
Der Name des Tanzes beschreibt also seine typische Schrittfolge.
So the name of the dance describes its typical sequence of steps.
You can usually tell whether the dance or the piece of music is meant from the verb. Verbs like 'tanzen' (to dance) or 'lernen' (to learn) refer to the dance. Verbs like 'spielen' (to play), 'komponieren' (to compose), or 'hören' (to hear/listen to) refer to the music.
Auf dem Fest haben alle bis spät in die Nacht Polka getanzt.
At the festival, everyone danced the polka until late into the night.
When 'Polka' (polka) refers to the dance, it is almost always combined with the verb 'tanzen' (to dance). The fixed combination is 'Polka tanzen' (to dance the polka).
Mein Opa hat meiner Oma beigebracht, wie man Polka tanzt.
My grandpa taught my grandma how to dance the polka.
When 'Polka' (polka) refers to a piece of music, it is often used with verbs such as 'spielen' (to play), 'komponieren' (to compose), or 'dirigieren' (to conduct).
Johann Strauss hat viele berühmte Polkas komponiert.
Johann Strauss composed many famous polkas.
waltz
'der Walzer' and 'die Polka' are both dances and can also refer to pieces of music for these dances. For that reason, they can easily be confused, especially if you only know that both belong to dance music. The most important difference is in the rhythm and character: a waltz is in triple time and often feels rotating and flowing. A polka is in 2/4 time and is usually fast and lively. If it is about an elegant couple dance with turns, 'Walzer' fits. If the music seems faster and more folk-like, 'Polka' often fits.
Die Polka brachte sofort Bewegung in den ganzen Saal.
The polka immediately got the whole hall moving.
Auf der Hochzeit tanzten Anna und Paul einen langsamen Walzer.
At the wedding, Anna and Paul danced a slow waltz.