clapping
/ˈklæpɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [klˈæpɪŋ] /ˈklæpɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [klˈæpɪŋ] /ˈklap/ (ame, mw)
clapping — 名詞
1. the repeated action of bringing your open hands together noisily to express that
掌聲；鼓掌
觀眾以拍手表示讚賞或喜愛
the repeated action of bringing your open hands together noisily to express that you enjoyed a performance, speech, or event and feel pleased about it
After the orchestra played the final note, the clapping grew so loud that the conductor returned for a second bow.
管弦樂團奏完最後一個音符後，掌聲響亮到指揮再次回到台上鞠躬致意。
uncountable noun describing enthusiastic audience reaction after a performance
Roya waited for the clapping to die down before she started reading her poem aloud.
Roya 等到掌聲平息下來，才開始大聲朗讀她的詩。
The loud clapping from the audience encouraged Eric to continue his speech with more confidence.
觀眾響亮的掌聲鼓勵 Eric 更有信心地繼續他的演講。
A wave of clapping greeted the dancers as they ran onto the stage for their final bow.
舞者們跑上舞台做最後鞠躬時，迎面而來一陣掌聲。
- booing
the opposite of clapping in approval — making negative vocal sounds
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
Uncountable — you cannot say 'a clapping' when referring to applause. However, 'a clap' (countable) can mean a single instance of applause or one hand-strike.
常見錯誤
2. a sudden sharp sound produced when one hard surface hits another, especially the
霹靂聲；爆裂
物體撞擊產生的巨大聲響
a sudden sharp sound produced when one hard surface hits another, especially the sound made by thunder
A loud clap of thunder shook the windows and woke the baby from her nap.
一聲巨雷震動了窗戶，把小嬰兒從午睡中驚醒。
pattern: a clap of thunder
Anjali jumped when she heard the sharp clap of a tree branch hitting the roof of the car.
Anjali 聽到樹枝撞擊車頂的清脆爆裂聲，嚇了一跳。
A sharp clap of thunder rattled the windows of the cabin, and Ignacio's dog hid trembling under the bed.
一聲巨雷震得小屋的窗戶咯咯作響，Ignacio 的狗嚇得發抖躲在床底下。
The warehouse workers froze when a sharp clap echoed from the back as metal shelves crashed onto the concrete floor.
倉庫工人們嚇呆了，一疊金屬層架轟然倒在水泥地上，發出一聲尖銳的爆裂巨響。
文法句型
a clap of [noun]
用法筆記
Typically used in the fixed phrase 'a clap of thunder.' For other sudden sounds, 'clap' is less common than 'bang' or 'crack'. This sense is countable (a clap / the clap).
3. a light hit on someone's back or shoulder with an open hand to show praise, enco
輕拍
友善地拍背或肩膀表示讚賞
a light hit on someone's back or shoulder with an open hand to show praise, encouragement, or approval
Niran gave his teammate a warm clap on the back after the winning goal was scored.
Niran 在隊友進球致勝後，溫暖地拍了拍他的背。
pattern: a clap on the back
"Well played," Pedro said with a friendly clap on Kemi's shoulder as they walked off the court.
Pedro 邊走下球場邊友善地拍了拍 Kemi 的肩膀說：「打得好。」
Vinícius felt a firm clap on his shoulder and turned to see his coach smiling proudly.
Vinícius 感覺到有人用力拍了拍他的肩膀，回頭看見教練正自豪地微笑。
The old man gave the boy a gentle clap on the arm and said, "You did well, son."
老人輕輕拍了拍男孩的手臂說：「孩子，你做得很好。」
文法句型
a clap on the [body part]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'on the' + a body part (back, shoulder, arm). The action is friendly or encouraging, not aggressive.
4. an informal and potentially offensive term for a sexually transmitted infection
花柳病（俚）
淋病的通俗貶稱
an informal and potentially offensive term for a sexually transmitted infection that causes pain when urinating
The clinic treated several patients who thought they had caught the clap after unprotected sex.
診所治療了好幾位患者，他們認為自己在無保護措施的性行為後染上了花柳病。
slang register: 'the clap' for gonorrhea
Health workers explained that many people use outdated slang like "the clap" without knowing the medical term for the infection.
衛生人員解釋說，很多人使用「花柳病」這類過時的俚語，卻不知道這種感染的醫學名稱。
An article on historical medical slang noted that US WWII soldiers called the infection "the clap" at field hospitals.
一篇關於歷史醫學俚語的文章指出，二戰期間美軍士兵在野戰醫院常把這種感染稱為「花柳病」。
The doctor gently told Ilan that "the clap" is an outdated slang term and gave him the correct medical information.
醫生溫和地告訴 Ilan，「花柳病」是過時的俚語，並給了他正確的醫療資訊。
- gonorrhea
the formal medical term — use this instead in any serious or clinical discussion
文法句型
the clap
用法筆記
Always used with 'the' (the clap). Considered old-fashioned slang; medical professionals use 'gonorrhea'. May cause offence in formal or medical contexts.
clapping — 動詞
- clappingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- clappings3rd person singular
- clappinging-ing form
- clappingedpast simple
1. to bring your two open hands together with force so that they make a short sharp
拍手；擊掌
用力將雙手掌心合攏發出聲響
to bring your two open hands together with force so that they make a short sharp sound, often as a signal or to get attention
Sari clapped her hands twice to call the wandering children back inside for dinner.
Sari 拍了兩次手，把在外面玩耍的孩子們叫回來吃晚餐。
transitive: clap + [possessive] hands
The teacher clapped once, and the noisy classroom fell totally silent within seconds.
老師拍了一下手，原本吵鬧的教室在幾秒內就完全安靜了下來。
Feng clapped his hands twice to get everyone's attention before explaining the tour schedule to the group.
Feng 拍了兩次手引起大家注意，然後開始向團體說明行程安排。
The football referee clapped his hands sharply to signal the kickoff, and both teams moved into their attacking formations.
足球裁判用力拍了拍手示意開球，兩隊隨即進入進攻陣型。
Pedro clapped loudly to get the waiter's attention across the busy restaurant.
Pedro 大聲拍手，想在忙碌的餐廳裡引起服務生的注意。
- slap
hitting a surface with an open hand, not necessarily both hands together
文法句型
clap + hands
clap + adverb
用法筆記
When used transitively, the object is almost always 'hands.' Used intransitively, it means making a clapping sound without specifying what is clapped. Not the same as applauding — this sense refers to a single clap or a short sequence as a signal.
常見錯誤
2. to hit your open hands together repeatedly as a way of showing that you liked a
鼓掌；喝采
反覆拍手以表示喜愛或贊同
to hit your open hands together repeatedly as a way of showing that you liked a performance, agree with a statement, or feel proud of someone
The whole audience clapped for a long time after Maeve finished her piano piece.
Maeve 彈完鋼琴曲後，全場觀眾熱烈鼓掌了很長時間。
pattern: clap for [someone] after a performance
Everyone clapped when the bride and groom walked into the beautifully decorated room.
新娘和新郎走進裝飾華麗的房間時，每個人都鼓掌歡迎。
Kemi clapped along to the rhythm of the music, enjoying the lively festival atmosphere.
Kemi 跟著音樂的節奏拍手，享受著熱鬧的節日氣氛。
The students clapped politely at the end of the principal's speech about school rules.
校長關於校規的演講結束後，學生們禮貌地鼓了鼓掌。
Niran's family clapped and cheered when they saw him receive the award on television.
Niran 的家人在電視上看到他獲獎時，又是鼓掌又是歡呼。
- boo
to make a negative noise to show dislike of a performance
文法句型
clap for [someone/something]
clap [adverb]
用法筆記
The most common use of 'clap'. Unlike sense 1 (which signals), this sense involves repeated clapping to express approval. Can be followed by 'for' to indicate the person or performance being applauded.
3. to place or press something somewhere with a quick, often careless or urgent mov
急忙放置
急促而不夠小心地把某物放在某處
to place or press something somewhere with a quick, often careless or urgent movement
Ignacio clapped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing during the serious ceremony.
Ignacio 連忙用手捂住嘴，忍住不在嚴肅的典禮上笑出來。
pattern: clap + hand over [body part] (urgent)
Maeve clapped the heavy book shut and ran to catch the train before the doors closed.
Maeve 啪地一聲合上厚重的書，跑去趕在車門關閉前上車。
pattern: clap + [object] + shut/closed
Pedro clapped his hat on his head and dashed outside into the pouring rain without an umbrella.
Pedro 匆匆把帽子往頭上一戴，沒帶傘就衝進了傾盆大雨中。
The waiter clapped the hot plate of food down on the table in front of the hungry customers.
服務生把滾燙的餐盤啪地一聲放到飢腸轆轆的顧客面前。
文法句型
clap + object + prepositional phrase
clap + object + adverb
用法筆記
Almost always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase describing where or how something is placed. The movement is fast and often a bit rough — not careful or gentle.
4. to gently hit a person on the back or shoulder with an open hand as a way of sho
輕拍（鼓勵）
友善地拍打他人背部或肩膀
to gently hit a person on the back or shoulder with an open hand as a way of showing praise, encouragement, or friendly recognition
Anjali clapped her brother on the shoulder after he crossed the finish line first in the race.
Anjali 的哥哥率先衝過賽跑終點線後，她拍了拍他的肩膀。
pattern: clap + someone + on the shoulder
The coach clapped the nervous young player on the back and said, "You are ready for this."
教練拍了拍緊張的年輕球員的背說：「你已經準備好了。」
pattern: clap + someone + on the back
Eric clapped his friend on the arm and congratulated him warmly on the successful project launch.
Eric 拍了拍朋友的手臂，熱情祝賀他成功完成了專案。
Roya's uncle clapped her on the shoulder with a proud smile after she graduated from university.
Roya 的叔叔在她大學畢業後自豪地微笑著拍了拍她的肩膀。
文法句型
clap + someone + on the + body part
用法筆記
Always takes a person as the direct object followed by 'on the' + a body part (shoulder, back). Unlike sense 1, this is a social gesture rather than a signal. Unlike sense 2, it is one or two hits, not repeated applause.