applaudir
/a.plo.diʁ/
To clap in French is to say applaudir.
The verb applaudir means to strike the palms of the hands together. While it describes the physical act of clapping, it is also used figuratively to mean praising or approving of something.
Meaning: intransitive: to strike the palms of the hands together (verb)
Which one should you use?
The phrase battre des mains is a common alternative used to describe the literal physical action of clapping hands.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular present indicative form of applaudir is applaudit. The past participle is applaudi, and the present participle is applaudissant.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /a.plo.diʁ/.
Did you know?
- The word salve in une salve d'applaudissements is the same word used to describe a volley of gunfire or artillery shells.
- The word applaudir comes from the Latin applaudere, which was used in Roman theater to express approval.
- In some formal French contexts, a standing ovation is called une ovation debout, emphasizing the physical posture over the act of applaudir.
Examples in context
- Merci d'applaudir.Please clap.This sentence is useful for learning how to request that someone use the form applaudir.Tatoeba #8984231 by Micsmithel, translation #8154862 by shekitten
- Les spectateurs applaudissent le talent de l'artiste.The audience claps for the artist's talent.
- Nous applaudissons l'initiative de votre équipe.We applaud your team's initiative.
- On a applaudi à tout rompre !We applauded enthusiastically!
- Le public va applaudir après le concert.The audience is going to clap after the concert.
- Il faut applaudir pour le remercier.We should clap to thank him.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are watching a street performer.
- EmmaRegarde ce musicien, il est incroyable !Look at this musician, he is incredible!
- HugoOui, on devrait applaudir pour l'encourager.Yes, we should clap to encourage him.
- EmmaTu as raison, je vais applaudir.You are right, I am going to clap.
- HugoMoi aussi, il mérite notre soutien.Me too, he deserves our support.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry applaudir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries applaudir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
