folklorico: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowformal, cultural, artistic
Quick answer
What does “folklorico” mean?
The traditional Mexican folk dance, characterized by vibrant costumes and regional music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The traditional Mexican folk dance, characterized by vibrant costumes and regional music.
The broader culture, study, or artistic tradition associated with traditional Mexican folk dance; also used to describe music, costume design, and festival performances in this style.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Much more common in American English, particularly in regions with significant Mexican-American populations. In British English, the term is highly specialist and may require explanation. British English might default to 'Mexican folk dance'.
Connotations
In US: cultural pride, artistic heritage, community celebration. In UK: exotic, niche, performative.
Frequency
High-frequency in specific US cultural/arts contexts; very low-frequency in general UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “folklorico” in a Sentence
[perform/study/watch] folkloricofolklorico [dance/music/troupe][Mexican/authentic] folkloricoVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “folklorico” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She folkloricos with grace and precision. (Extremely rare, non-standard)
American English
- The community folkloricos every Sunday at the plaza. (Rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The dancers moved folklorico-style across the stage. (Rare)
American English
- They performed folklorico, with incredible energy. (Rare)
adjective
British English
- The folklorico ensemble was invited to the festival.
American English
- She wore a beautiful folklorico dress for the performance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism or cultural event planning.
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, dance studies, and Latin American cultural studies.
Everyday
Used in communities with Mexican heritage, or in discussions of multicultural festivals.
Technical
Used in dance instruction, choreography, and costume design for this specific genre.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “folklorico”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “folklorico”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “folklorico”
- Misspelling as 'folklorico' (missing accent) or 'folkloric'.
- Using it as a general adjective (e.g., 'folklorico music' is acceptable, but 'a folklorico story' is not).
- Pronouncing the 'l' in 'folk' as a dark L /ɫ/; it should be a light L /l/ or silent before /k/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While all folklorico is folk dance, the term specifically refers to the traditional dances of Mexico. 'Folk dance' is a generic term for traditional dances from any culture.
Yes, but primarily in compounds related to the dance genre (e.g., folklorico costume, folklorico music). It is not a general substitute for 'folkloric'.
In American English: /foʊkˈlɔːrɪkoʊ/ (foke-LOR-i-koh). In British English: /fəʊkˈlɒrɪkəʊ/ (foke-LORR-i-koh). The stress is always on the second syllable.
It is a loanword that preserves the specific cultural and artistic identity of the Mexican tradition, distinguishing it from other folk dance forms. It acts as a technical term within dance and cultural studies.
The traditional Mexican folk dance, characterized by vibrant costumes and regional music.
Folklorico is usually formal, cultural, artistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this lexical item]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FOLK' dance + 'LORICO' (sounds like 'lorikeet', a colourful bird) → colourful folk dance.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURE IS A LIVING PERFORMANCE (e.g., 'Keeping the folklorico tradition alive').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'folklorico' most precisely used?