Important Technical Differentiations
Oftentimes in ballet, we use the French terminology loosely and use two different words interchangeably, even when they technically are quite different. This usually does not create any problems, but it is important to know the difference in your vocabulary. Below are a few commonly interchanged terms that you should know.
1) Passé v. Retiré
Passé is actually an adjective, which comes from the verb passer (the "-er" ending indicates that it is a verb). As such, passé refers to the action of your leg passing from the front/back, through retiré (the position), and closing in the back/front. So, if you are holding a balance, you a really holding it in retiré (the position), but if you are doing a developpé from the front, going through passé, and opening to the back, you are in fact passing through the retiré position and are therefore using passé.
2) Soutenu v. Détourné
Détourné starts in fifth position plié, and both feet scoop up into sous sus, initiating the turn. In soutenu ("sustained"), you actually have to extend the leg, piqué onto it and move into sous sus, and then turn. Generally, détourné is used more often at the barre, while soutenu is used more often in the center, although this is by no means a rule.
3) Sauté v. Temps Levé v. Jeté
Sauté is a jump that comes from two feet, and lands on two feet, as with sauté in first position. This technically applies to any kind of jump. Meanwhile, a temps levé starts on one leg and lands on that same leg, as in temps levé arabesque. Finally, a jeté starts on one leg but lands on the other leg, as with petit jeté.
4) Balloné v. Balloté
The accent for balloné is in, and the leg goes straight out and back in from the coupé position. With balloté, the accent is out, and there is usually a developpé/enveloppé involved as you alternate legs.
5) Saut de Chat v. Grand Jeté
At first glance, these steps look the same. While both require a split in the air, they are different in how the front leg gets into the split. In saut de chat, the front leg must developpé to get into the jump, while in grand jeté it simply brushes. There is no difference in how the back leg moves.
1) Passé v. Retiré
Passé is actually an adjective, which comes from the verb passer (the "-er" ending indicates that it is a verb). As such, passé refers to the action of your leg passing from the front/back, through retiré (the position), and closing in the back/front. So, if you are holding a balance, you a really holding it in retiré (the position), but if you are doing a developpé from the front, going through passé, and opening to the back, you are in fact passing through the retiré position and are therefore using passé.
2) Soutenu v. Détourné
Détourné starts in fifth position plié, and both feet scoop up into sous sus, initiating the turn. In soutenu ("sustained"), you actually have to extend the leg, piqué onto it and move into sous sus, and then turn. Generally, détourné is used more often at the barre, while soutenu is used more often in the center, although this is by no means a rule.
3) Sauté v. Temps Levé v. Jeté
Sauté is a jump that comes from two feet, and lands on two feet, as with sauté in first position. This technically applies to any kind of jump. Meanwhile, a temps levé starts on one leg and lands on that same leg, as in temps levé arabesque. Finally, a jeté starts on one leg but lands on the other leg, as with petit jeté.
4) Balloné v. Balloté
The accent for balloné is in, and the leg goes straight out and back in from the coupé position. With balloté, the accent is out, and there is usually a developpé/enveloppé involved as you alternate legs.
5) Saut de Chat v. Grand Jeté
At first glance, these steps look the same. While both require a split in the air, they are different in how the front leg gets into the split. In saut de chat, the front leg must developpé to get into the jump, while in grand jeté it simply brushes. There is no difference in how the back leg moves.