hopak: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal or specialized
Quick answer
What does “hopak” mean?
A traditional Ukrainian folk dance in 2/4 time, characterized by vigorous steps, leaps, and squats.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional Ukrainian folk dance in 2/4 time, characterized by vigorous steps, leaps, and squats.
Can refer to the music composed for this dance or be used metaphorically to describe any lively, energetic activity resembling the dance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use the term similarly as a loanword from Ukrainian.
Connotations
In both, it connotes Ukrainian cultural heritage, energy, and folk tradition.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, primarily used in cultural, dance, or academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hopak” in a Sentence
dance the hopakperform the hopakVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typically used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and dance history.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation; might appear in cultural events or discussions.
Technical
Used in dance terminology and musicology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hopak”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hopak”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hopak”
- Mispronouncing as /hɒˈpæk/ or /ˈhɒp.æk/
- Using it to refer to any Slavic dance.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It comes from Ukrainian, derived from the verb 'hopaty' meaning to jump.
Traditionally, it was a male dance, but modern performances often include women.
Hopak is characterized by its 2/4 time signature and energetic movements like leaps and squats, often performed as a solo or group dance.
Rarely, but it can be verbed to mean 'to dance the hopak', though this usage is non-standard and context-dependent.
A traditional Ukrainian folk dance in 2/4 time, characterized by vigorous steps, leaps, and squats.
Hopak is usually formal or specialized in register.
Hopak: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊ.pæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊ.pæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'hop' in hopak – think of hopping energetically during the dance.
Conceptual Metaphor
Energetic movement as cultural expression.
Practice
Quiz
What is a hopak?