German word

klatschen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈklatʃn̩/

Meaning

  • verbclap

Example

Das Publikum klatschte nach dem Auftritt.

The audience clapped after the performance.

Illustration for klatschen (clap)

More examples

Die Passanten klatschten, um Aufmerksamkeit zu erregen.

The passersby clapped to attract attention.

Core concept

The sound "klatsch" marks hands meeting, a hand striking, or noisy talk passed from person to person.

Common phrases

  • für die Leistung klatschen

    clap for the performance

  • laut klatschen

    clap loudly

  • im Takt klatschen

    clap in time

Similar words

applaudieren: To publicly show approval at a performance through applause or cheers.
Beifall spenden: To express public approval by giving applause.
jubeln: To show joy or excitement by cheering loudly.
abklatschen: To slap palms together in a brief mutual high-five.

Definition in German

Mit den Händen wiederholt aneinander schlagen, meist als Zeichen des Beifalls.

Word origin

Klatschen developed from the onomatopoeic root klatsch, which imitates an abrupt striking sound and gave rise to several related meanings.

Usage tips

  • The colloquial phrase jemandem eine klatschen means to slap someone and uses the person affected in the dative case.

Other meanings

  • slapverb
  • gossipverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Klatschgossipnoun
  • die Klatscheslapnoun
  • die Klatschereigossipingnoun

Word lists with this word