Selected terms used in social Rueda de Casino. Meanings and usage may vary between groups and communities.
Calls and Cues
• Dame: Change partners
• Otra: Another or one more
• Ahora: Now
• Se Fue: Signals the end of the current action or figure and a transition to what follows
• Mas Alto: Higher
Directions
Arriba and Abajo generally refer to forward and backward movement from the leader's perspective. The direction of travel around the rueda depends on the position and figure, and conventions may vary between groups. Follow the caller and the group's conventions.
• Arriba: Forward / up
• Abajo: Backward / down
• Adelante: Forward
• Atras: Backward
• A la derecha: Right
• A la izquierda: Left
Positions and Movement
• Open Position: Partners face each other in an open hold
• Closed Position: Partners dance in a closed hold
• Vuelta: Turn
• Gancho: Hook
• Alarde: A decorative arm movement
Roles and Participants
• Caller: The person who selects and announces the figures used in the rueda, also called the cantante in some communities
• Hombres: Men
• Mujeres: Women
Some groups instead use role-based terms such as Leader and Follower.