clap one's hands
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- 1 clap one's hands
Describes bringing the palms together to make a sound, especially to show praise, welcome, encouragement, or approval.
clap one's hands
To strike the palms together, either to make a rhythmic sound or to applaud someone or something.
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เด็ก ๆ ตบมือตามจังหวะเพลง dèk dèk tòp mʉʉ taam caŋwà phleeŋ The children clapped their hands to the rhythm of the song. เด็ก ๆ ตบมือตามจังหวะเพลง details
Learning notes
Explanation
The expression is formed from ตบ, “to strike or slap with a flat surface,” and มือ, “hand.” Its literal image is striking the hands together. It commonly means applauding to show praise, welcome, or encouragement, but it can also describe clapping along with music. The recipient of applause is commonly introduced with ให้, as in ตบมือให้เขา, “applaud him.”
Usage
Commonly used at performances, concerts, presentations, award ceremonies, speeches, and sporting events when people applaud a person or performance. It is also used for clapping along with music and when a host asks an audience to applaud.
Caution
On its own, ตบ can mean “hit” or “slap,” but ตบมือ normally means clapping the hands. It does not usually refer to a high five; ไฮไฟฟ์ or แปะมือ is used for that action.
Differences from similar words
1 clap one's hands synonyms
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ปรบมือ is another common word for “applaud” and is widely used in announcements and writing. ตบมือ more transparently evokes the physical action of striking the palms together and can also mean simply clapping to a rhythm.