Sur les Pointes

Ballet Term Definition

How to say & pronounce Sur les Pointes:

sir leh poyn-ts

What does Sur les Pointes translate to?

on the points

Sur les Pointes is a classical ballet term that means “on the points” or on the tips of a dancer’s toes wearing pointe shoes.

It is another way of saying a step is done “en pointe.” Ballet technique formed without the term or steps being done sur les pointes because pointe shoes were not yet invented when ballet first began. Once Maria Taglioni began dancing en pointe, pointe shoes began to be made (and revised many, many times) and steps were then done sur les pointes!