Ballerina, Ballerino

Ballerina
Pronunciation: bahl-lay-REE-nah

The term ballerina is originally meant as the rank of a principal female dancer in a ballet company.  When it was originally used, this meant that not every female dancer in the ballet company was considered a ballerina, and instead by their rank or simply as “a ballet dancer”.  Today, a leading female ballet dancer is usually simply called a principal dancer, or in some companies prima ballerina. There is also the rank of ètoile at the Paris Opera Ballet that is the highest rank a dancer might achieve in the company, while sujet is given to soloists in the company. However, there is a term that is used to describe the legendary ballerinas of the times and that term is Prima ballerina assoluta.

Ballerino or Danseur
Pronunciation: bahl-lay-ree-no

Ballerino is used in Italian for a “male dancer” who dances principal roles in a ballet company.  Ballerino is not commonly used in English speaking countries, it doesn’t hold much regard or honor as the term ballerina does and is sometimes used sarcastically to describe a male dancer.  Today, boys or men who dance ballet are simply called “male ballet dancers” in America. Some fancy people like to use the word danseur, or for principal males premier danseur or danseur noble. When using the phrase