How to say "clap" in Japanese

• 打つうつJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbChiefly 'to hit' or 'to strike' something. Its 'clap' sense — striking the hands together, as in applause — is genuine but secondary; for the act of clapping, 叩く is the more natural verb.
  階段かいだんから落おちて背中せなかを強つよく打うちました。↗

  I fell down the stairs and hit my back very hard.
• 叩くたたくJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbUse this verb when 'clap' means striking the hands together, as in applause. It also means 'strike', 'hit', 'beat' and 'knock', overlapping with 打つ in those senses.
  見知みしらぬ人ひとが玄関げんかんのドアをしきりにたたいた。↗

  A stranger beat urgently at the front door.

Both verbs share the core senses 'hit' and 'strike'; when 'clap' means applauding by striking the hands together, 「叩く」 is the natural choice, while 「打つ」 covers clapping only secondarily, as a form of striking.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 打つうつto hit
• 叩くたたくto strike
• ぽんpat
• ちょんclap (sound of wooden clappers)
• 手を叩くてをたたくto clap
• ぱんぱんkapow