dance

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is よう, and the kun readings are おどる and おどり. It has 14 strokes and relates to dance and the act of dancing.
• Basic usage: 踊り is read おどり, and 踊る is read おどる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 踊り / 踊る
  • 踊り means dance and is read おどり. It is the noun for a dance, such as one performed at a festival.
  • 祭りの踊りを広場で練習しました。 means “We practiced the festival dance in the square.”
  • 踊る means to dance and is read おどる. It is the verb for dancing to music.
  • 祭りの音楽に合わせて皆で踊った。 means “We all danced to the festival music.”