choreography
/ˌkɒriˈɒɡrəfi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɔːriˈɑːɡrəfi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkȯr-ē-ˈä-grə-fē/ (ame, mw)
choreography — noun
1. the work of inventing the body shapes, footwork, and patterns that dancers perfo
the work of inventing the body shapes, footwork, and patterns that dancers perform on stage, in films, or for events such as ballet or musical theatre.
Haruto studied modern choreography at a dance school in Tokyo for four years.
uncountable: choreography (no article)
The choreography for the new ballet was praised by every critic in London.
pattern: choreography for + [show]
Aarav is learning choreography because he wants to design dances for music videos.
Stage choreography demands patience, a good memory, and a strong sense of timing.
- dance composition
more technical; refers to the act of composing dances as an art form
- dance direction
broader; can include rehearsing dancers and shaping the whole performance
文法句型
choreography for + [show/ballet]
choreography by + [person]
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable. Subject is typically the person who designs the dance (the choreographer), or the dance art itself as a field of study.
常見錯誤
2. the actual sequence of steps and movements that the dancers, skaters, or perform
the actual sequence of steps and movements that the dancers, skaters, or performers do in one particular show, ballet, or routine.
Élise spent two weeks learning the choreography for her figure-skating final.
the choreography for + [specific event]
The choreography in the opening number used quick turns, jumps, and slow falls.
Indra forgot part of the choreography on opening night but recovered with a quick spin.
Salma watched the video three times to copy the choreography from the K-pop song.
- routine
more everyday; used for short dances and exercise sequences
- dance number
informal; usually one dance inside a musical or show
文法句型
the choreography of + [performance]
用法筆記
Countable in this sense — you can speak of 'a choreography' or 'the choreography of [a specific piece]'. Distinguish from sense 1: this names the concrete routine, not the craft of inventing routines.
常見錯誤
3. a set of carefully planned moves or actions that fit together as smoothly as a d
a set of carefully planned moves or actions that fit together as smoothly as a dance — used about events, fights, ceremonies, or political moments where every step looks rehearsed.
The military parade in Cairo showed perfect choreography from the first salute to the last drum beat.
figurative: choreography of a ceremony
Reporters noticed the careful choreography of the two leaders' handshake and joint photograph.
collocation: careful / political choreography
The fight scene needed real choreography so that no actor would be hurt on set.
Behind the wedding's calm surface lay weeks of choreography by Ayana and her father.
- staging
similar metaphor; emphasises that an event was set up to look a certain way
- orchestration
stresses control and coordination behind the scenes more than visible smoothness
- improvisation
the opposite — actions made up in the moment, not planned
文法句型
the choreography of + [event/activity]
用法筆記
Figurative extension of sense 2. Frequently appears with adjectives like 'careful', 'elaborate', 'political'. Distinguish from sense 2: here no actual dancing happens — the metaphor is the point.