鼓掌
gǔzhǎng
The English verb "clap" is translated into Mandarin as 鼓掌 (gǔzhǎng).
鼓掌 is used to describe the act of striking the palms of the hands together. While it can be understood literally, it is the standard way to express the act of applauding a performance or an audience.
Meaning: intransitive: to strike the palms of the hands together (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a verb-object construction. The first part, 鼓, means "to drum" or "to beat" and the second part, 掌, means "palm".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a verb-object construction where 鼓 is the verb and 掌 is the object.
How do you pronounce it?
gǔzhǎng
Did you know?
- In some older traditions, clapping was avoided in certain spiritual contexts because loud noises were thought to attract unwanted spirits.
- While 鼓掌 refers to applause, the character 掌 also means 'to be in charge of' or 'to control' in a professional context.
- The character 鼓 is used in the word 鼓动 (gǔdòng), which means 'to incite' or 'to encourage', linking the rhythm of a drum to emotional stimulation.
Examples in context
- 在表演结束后，请大家拍手鼓掌。 (Zài biǎoyǎn jiéshù hòu, qǐng dàjiā pāi shǒu gǔ zhǎng.)After the performance, please clap your hands.
- 在庆祝仪式上，人们会鼓掌以表示欢呼。 (Zài qìngzhù yíshì shàng, rénmen huì gǔ zhǎng yǐ biǎoshì huānhū.)People will clap their hands to express applause during the celebration ceremony.
- 观众在演唱会上拍手叫好。 (Guānzhòng zài yǎnchànghuì shàng pāi shǒu jiào hǎo.)The audience clapped and cheered at the concert.
- 观众为选手的出色表现鼓掌喝彩。 (Guānzhòng wèi xuǎnshǒu de chūsè biǎoxiàn gǔ zhǎng hè cǎi.)The audience applauded and cheered for the contestant's outstanding performance.
- 请大家鼓掌。Qǐng dàjiā gǔzhǎng.Please, everyone, clap your hands.
- 他在台下用力鼓掌。Tā zài táixià yònglì gǔzhǎng.He is clapping loudly below the stage.
- 观众开始鼓掌了。Guānzhòng kāishǐ gǔzhǎng le.The audience started clapping.
Example conversation
A concert has just finished and the audience is reacting.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen表演结束了，快鼓掌！Biǎoyǎn jiéshù le, kuài gǔzhǎng!The performance is over, clap quickly!
- 浩然 Haoran好，真精彩啊。Hǎo, zhēn jīngcǎi a.Okay, it was truly wonderful.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你也鼓掌吧。Hàorán, nǐ yě gǔzhǎng ba.Haoran, you should clap too.
- 浩然 Haoran我在鼓掌了。Wǒ zài gǔzhǎng le.I am clapping now.
