fǔ

抚掌

Word · VerbTraditional拊

to pat; to clap; to slap

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 8 examples
1.

verb

to clap (hands); to applaud

literary

Often used in classical or formal contexts; in modern Chinese, "拍手" or "鼓掌" is more common. In the compound "拊掌" (fǔzhǎng), it specifically means clapping.

Wén闻
zhě者
mò莫
bù不
fǔ拊
zhǎng掌
dà大
xiào笑
 。

All who heard it clapped their hands and laughed heartily.

Fǔ拊
zhǎng掌
chēng称
kuài快
 。

Clapped their hands in satisfaction.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
fǔ拊
zhǎng掌
zàn赞
tàn叹
 ，
lián连
shēng声
chēng称
hǎo好
 。

He clapped his hands in admiration, repeatedly saying "good."

2.

verb

to pat; to stroke (gently)

literary

Often implies a gentle, comforting, or encouraging touch, similar to "抚". Found in set phrases or literary descriptions.

Fǔ拊
qí其
bèi背
 ，
yǐ以
shì示
ān安
wèi慰
 。

Pat his/her back to show comfort.

Fǔ拊
ér而
miǎn勉
zhī之
 。

Pat and encourage him/her.

Show 1 more example
Mǔ母
qīn亲
fǔ拊
zhe着
hái孩
zi子
de的
tóu头
 。

The mother stroked the child's head.

3.

verb

to slap; to beat (a rhythm)

literary

Used for beating time, as in traditional music or poetry recitation.

Fǔ拊
shǒu手
wéi为
jié节
 ，
yǐn引
háng吭
gāo高
gē歌
 。

Clapped hands to keep the rhythm and sang loudly.

Jī击
wèng瓮
fǔ拊
fǒu缶
 ，
yǐ以
gē歌
hū呼
wū呜
wū呜
 。

Beat earthen jars and slapped pottery, singing with a "wuwu" sound.