Usage Note
Balse is the Tagalog adaptation of the Spanish valse (waltz), the European ballroom dance in triple time. It was introduced during the Spanish colonial period and became part of formal Philippine social events, particularly cotillions and town fiestas. It remains an element of traditional Filipino dance programs and debutante balls.
Examples
" Marunong siyang sumayaw ng balse. "
Natural Translation
She knows how to dance the waltz.
Literal Translation
Knows she to-dance of waltz.
" Nagsayaw sila ng balse sa harap ng mga panauhin. "
Natural Translation
They danced the waltz in front of the guests.
Literal Translation
Danced they the waltz in front of-the guests.
" Bago lumabas ang debutante, sumayaw muna siya ng balse kasama ang kanyang ama sa harap ng lahat ng panauhin. "
Natural Translation
Before the debutante came out, she first danced a waltz with her father in front of all the guests.
Literal Translation
Before came-out the debutante, danced first she of waltz with the her father in front of all of-the guests.
Take Tagalog with you
The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Days of the Week and Months in Tagalog
The days of the week and months in Tagalog are Spanish loanwords. Learn all 7 days and 12 months with pronunciation, plus how to say dates and 'every Monday.'
Tagalog Numbers 1-100: Counting, Time & Money Explained
Learn Tagalog numbers 1-100 and beyond. Master both native and Spanish-derived counting systems, plus telling time, reading prices, and ordinals.
How to Say Sorry in Tagalog: Patawad vs Pasensya
How to say sorry in Tagalog: patawad, pasensya na, and paumanhin compared on a simple severity-and-formality ladder so you pick the right word every time.
Tagalog Affixes Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Word Building
Tagalog affixes turn one root word into dozens of meanings. Learn prefixes, infixes, suffixes, and circumfixes with clear examples for beginners.