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"El tango" is a form of "tango", a noun which is often translated as "tango". "La salsa" is a form of "salsa", a noun which is often translated as "sauce". Learn more about the difference between "el tango" and "la salsa" below.
el tango(
tahng
-
goh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. tango
Astor Piazzolla compuso muchísimos tangos para piano y orquesta.Astor Piazzolla composed lots of tangos for piano and orchestra.
la salsa(
sahl
-
sah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (culinary)
a. sauce
Puse un poco de yerbabuena en la salsa de chocolate.I put a little spearmint in the chocolate sauce.
2. (figurative) (interest and excitement)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. hit
Mi hermano es la salsa de todas las fiestas con sus chistes.My brother is a hit at every party with his jokes.
