鼓掌
gǔ zhǎng
To clap in Chinese is 鼓掌 (gǔ zhǎng).
鼓掌 is a verb used to describe the physical action of striking the palms of the hands together.
Meaning: intransitive: to strike the palms of the hands together (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 鼓掌 literally means 'to drum the palms', where 鼓 (gǔ) means 'drum' and 掌 (zhǎng) means 'palm'.
Which one should you use?
拍手 (pāi shǒu) is a common alternative for 'clapping hands', often used when describing children or simple physical actions.
How do you pronounce it?
gǔ zhǎng
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the verb 鼓 (gǔ) can also mean 'to encourage' or 'to incite', suggesting that clapping is fundamentally an act of encouragement.
- The character 掌 (zhǎng) in 鼓掌 (gǔ zhǎng) is the same character used in the word 掌权 (zhǎng quán), which means 'to hold power' or 'to be in control'.
- A 'high five' is expressed as 击掌 (jī zhǎng), which literally means 'striking palms' rather than 'clapping'.
Examples in context
- 当演唱会结束时，观众纷纷鼓掌欢呼。When the concert ended, the audience applauded and cheered.
- 我们看完演出后都拍手鼓励演员。After watching the performance, we all clapped to encourage the actors.
- 大家开始鼓掌。Dàjiā kāishǐ gǔzhǎng.Everyone started to clap.
- 请为他鼓掌。Qǐng wèi tā gǔzhǎng.Please clap for him.
- 观众在热烈地鼓掌。Guānzhòng zài rèliè de gǔzhǎng.The audience is clapping enthusiastically.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Haoran are watching a talent show.
- 佳怡 Jiayi他的表演太棒了！Tā de biǎoyǎn tài bàng le!His performance was amazing!
- 浩然 Haoran快给他在下面鼓掌。Kuài gěi tā zài xiàmiàn gǔzhǎng.Quick, clap for him down here.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我已经在鼓掌了。Wǒ yǐjīng zài gǔzhǎng le.I am already clapping.
- 浩然 Haoran确实值得鼓掌。Quèshí zhídé gǔzhǎng.He really deserves a round of applause.
