Changé

Changé is a French word meaning “changed,” and in ballet it describes the feet changing places, so the foot that was in front finishes in back or the reverse. It is used together with other terms to show that a step ends with the position of the feet swapped rather than staying the same.

You will hear the idea most clearly in a changement, a jump from fifth position where the feet switch in the air before landing. Teachers may also use changé to distinguish a version of a step that changes feet from one that keeps the same foot in front. For example, an échappé changé closes with the opposite foot forward. On its own, changé simply signals that a change of feet happens, which makes it a helpful cue when reading or listening to a combination.