Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Portuguese term or phrase:
Contratempo
English translation:
off(-)beat
Added to glossary by
Luciano Eduardo de Oliveira
May 16, 2013 17:27
11 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Portuguese term
Ireland
German-English Translator
Native in: English (Variant: Irish) 
Works in: German to English
Contra-tempo
Portuguese to English
Art/Literary
Music
The term "contra-tempo" has proved problematic to translate at several dance workshops I've attended.
My research for the correct translation has so far proved unsuccessful.
An example: A man and woman are dancing to a piece of music. The timing of the music is 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3. The woman is dancing on the beat of the song, i.e. 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3, but the man's steps are in a 1-2-1-2-1-2... beat. In Portuguese, one could say the man is dancing a "contra-tempo." What do we call this in English, can anyone tell me please?
My research for the correct translation has so far proved unsuccessful.
An example: A man and woman are dancing to a piece of music. The timing of the music is 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3. The woman is dancing on the beat of the song, i.e. 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3, but the man's steps are in a 1-2-1-2-1-2... beat. In Portuguese, one could say the man is dancing a "contra-tempo." What do we call this in English, can anyone tell me please?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +4 | off(-)beat |
Luciano Eduardo de Oliveira
|
| 5 +1 | Out of step |
Scott Bowman
|
Change log
May 30, 2013 06:12: Luciano Eduardo de Oliveira Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+4
2 mins
Luciano Eduardo de Oliveira
Brazil
Brazil
Native in Portuguese
Brazil
Passionate, reliable
Native in: Portuguese
Works in: English to Portuguese, German to Portuguese, Dutch to Portuguese, and 8 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
36
Selected
off(-)beat
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Nick Taylor
: Yes off beat
1 hr
|
| agree |
Gilmar Fernandes
1 hr
|
| agree |
Vitor Visconti
2 hrs
|
| agree |
Lais Leite
2 days 22 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+1
3 hrs
Out of step
while off beat is a correct translation, I would be wary of using it as it has an almost pejorative meaning as well.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/offbeat
offbeat
adjective
Definition
› unusual and strange and therefore surprising or noticeable:
an offbeat sense of humour
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/out of step
out of step
1. Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/offbeat
offbeat
adjective
Definition
› unusual and strange and therefore surprising or noticeable:
an offbeat sense of humour
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/out of step
out of step
1. Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Marlene Curtis
: I would use "out of step" because the context refers to dancing and not playing an instrument.
34 mins
|
|
Thanks, I hadn't considered that point, but agree.
|
Discussion
"Speed of movement by using the correct BPM and its counter tempo"
http://www.nzcaf.org.nz/downloads/rules/SA TR 2013-2014.pdf
The man's beat goes against the woman's beat INTENTIONALLY! Therefore, out of step is not right. Off-beats are something else - they are the spaces between beats. I'm looking for a word that describes two different rhythms which are set against each other and appear to clash with each other, yet each of them is in time with the music.