拍掌

pāizhǎng

verb #33,530

Meanings

1 to clap one's hands
2 to applaud
3 (idiomatic) to slap palms (as a pact or agreement)

Characters

to pat; to slap

palm of the hand

Examples

孩子们高兴地拍掌欢呼。

Háizimen gāoxìng de pāizhǎng huānhū.

The children clapped and cheered happily.

我们就这么说定了——拍掌为誓。

Wǒmen jiù zhème shuōdìng le — pāizhǎng wéi shì.

Then it's settled — let's slap palms on it.

Tips

usage

Two senses: (1) ordinary clapping/applauding (synonym 鼓掌 gǔzhǎng is more common in formal/audience contexts), and (2) the gesture of slapping palms together to seal a verbal agreement — like a Western handshake or 'high five on a deal'. Compare 击掌 (jīzhǎng), which leans more toward a celebratory high-five.

Stroke Order

拍 pāi

掌 zhǎng