French Conversation · Level 119
60 words
French word
claque
Pronunciation
IPA/klak/
Meaning
- feminine nounslap
Example
Il lui a donné une claque.
He slapped her.
More examples
Elle a pris une claque en apprenant la nouvelle.
She took a slap when she learned the news.
Core concept
A sharp open-hand strike that makes a clap, with the same sound repeated by organized theater applauders.
Common phrases
donner une claque
give a slap
prendre une claque
take a slap
Similar words
gifle: A forceful slap to someone's cheek or face with an open hand.
baffe: A clearly forceful slap, used in informal speech.
tape: A light, gentle tap or slap with the hand.
coup: A single impact or blow delivered to a body or object.
Definition in French
Coup donné rapidement et sèchement de la main ouverte, généralement sur la joue ; sens second : troupe engagée pour applaudir un spectacle.
Word origin
French claque derives from claquer, an imitative verb for a sharp sound, and later named organized theater applauders in the nineteenth century.
Usage tips
- Claque is feminine, so the standard article is une claque or la claque.
Other meanings
- orchestrated applausenoun
- hired applaudersnoun
Related words
- claquerslapverb
- claquementsnapnoun
- claquéexhaustedadjective