samba

Everyday

1. A fast, lively dance from Brazil. tree →
2. The music for this dance, with strong drum rhythms. tree →
3. (verb) To dance the samba. tree →

In the lessons

In music and PE lessons children play samba rhythms on drums like the surdo and shakers, and learn about the carnival in Rio de Janeiro. In geography it is part of Brazilian culture, which grew from African traditions. Phrases: «samba band», «samba school», «dance the samba».

Examples

• We played samba drums in music class. tree →
• At the carnival in Rio, samba schools parade through the streets. tree →
• The crowd danced the samba all night. tree →
• Samba music came from the African-Brazilian community. tree →
• Our samba band played at the school fair. tree →
• They sambaed across the stage. tree →

Note

Plural: sambas. Verb past: sambaed (rare). A «samba school» in Brazil is a community group that prepares for carnival, not an ordinary school.