How to say "pat" in Japanese

• さするCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbIts 'pat' is one that shades into rubbing: the hand moves over the surface rather than tapping. Typical contexts are rubbing a child's head or massaging someone's stiff shoulders.
  胸むねをさすってあげましょうか。↗

  Would you like me to massage your chest?
• 叩くたたくJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbEssentially 'to strike, hit, knock'; it matches 'pat' only when the pat is a light blow, as in a friendly tap on the shoulder. For gentle, affectionate patting it is not the word.
  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.
• 撫でるなでるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers the soft, affectionate side of 'pat': a light, soothing pat or stroke, as when you comfort a crying child or stroke a pet. Its core is gentle stroking and caressing.
  母はははため息いきをつきながら、高校こうこう一いち年生ねんせいにもなった息子むすこの頭あたまをがしがしと撫なでた。↗

  Mom sighed, and tousled the hair of her first-year high school son's head.

For a gentle, affectionate pat that is close to stroking, 「撫でる」 is the natural choice; 「さする」 suits pats that are really light rubbing; 「叩く」 covers pats felt as light blows, like a tap on the shoulder.

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

• さするto rub
• 叩くたたくto strike
• 撫でるなでるto stroke
• ぽんpat
• パットpat
• 撫で回すなでまわすto pat (e.g. a dog)
• モフるto stroke (something fluffy)
• もふもふto stroke (something fluffy)
• 案じるあんじるto stroke
• 案ずるあんずるto stroke