ตบ
slap
Native recording
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- 1 slap、swat、pat
This word describes striking something with an open hand or another flat surface. Depending on context, it can mean slapping, patting, swatting an insect, or hitting a ball sharply in sports.
slap、swat、pat
To strike someone or something with an open hand or a flat object, ranging from a forceful slap or swat to a gentle pat.
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เขาตบหน้าฉัน khǎw tòp nâa chǎn He slapped me in the face. เขาตบหน้าฉัน details
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ตบยุง tòp yuŋ Swat a mosquito. ตบยุง details
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เธอตบไหล่ฉันเบา ๆ thəə tòp lày chǎn baw baw She gently patted me on the shoulder. เธอตบไหล่ฉันเบา ๆ details
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ทุกคนตบมือให้เขา thúk khon tòp mʉʉ hây khǎw Everyone applauded him. ทุกคนตบมือให้เขา details
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ตบลูกวอลเลย์ tòp lûuk wɔɔnlee Spike a volleyball. ตบลูกวอลเลย์ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core image is bringing an open hand or another flat surface against a target. With a person, it often suggests a forceful slap, but words such as เบา ๆ (“gently”) can make it a friendly or encouraging pat. In ตบยุง, it means swatting a mosquito, while ตบมือ means clapping or applauding. In sports, it is also used for forceful attacking shots such as a volleyball spike or a badminton smash.
Usage
It is common in everyday situations involving a slap, a pat on the shoulder, swatting an insect, or applauding. It also appears frequently in discussions of volleyball, badminton, and other sports involving spikes or smashes.
Caution
When the object is a person, ตบ normally sounds aggressive unless the context clearly indicates a gentle pat. Use ตบมือ, rather than ตบ alone, for “clap” or “applaud.” It does not cover every kind of hitting: เคาะ is used for knocking, and ชก for punching with a fist.