How to say "slap" in Japanese

• 打つうつJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers the general sense of striking or hitting, including slapping someone. It is a broad verb for delivering a blow, so it works when the slap is simply an act of striking.
  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 verbAlso covers slapping as striking or hitting, often with the nuance of knocking or beating on something repeatedly, such as slapping a door or a table to get attention.
  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 「打つ」 and 「叩く」 cover the physical sense of slapping someone or something; as near-synonymous common verbs, choose 「叩く」 for a repeated or knocking nuance and 「打つ」 for striking generally.

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
• ぱんぱんkapow
• びんたslap (in the face)
• ひっぱたくto slap
• ぴしゃぴしゃslap (sound of a flat object continuously striking something)
• 平手打ちひらてうちslap
• ぴちゃっwith a splash
• ぺしっwith a whack
• ぱしっwith a loud smack
• ぽんpat
• はたくto slap
• 平打ちひらうちslap
• ぴちゃんslam
• 張るはるto slap