Japanese word

叩く

Pronunciation

Romajitataku

Meaning

  • verbhit

Example

壁を叩きます。kabe o tata ki ma su

I hit the wall.

Illustration for 叩く (hit)

More examples

合図のために、彼は太鼓を叩きます。ai zu no ta me ni kare wa tai ko o tata ki ma su

He hits the drum as a signal.

Core concept

Describes making contact with something by striking it, whether the action is a gentle tap, a knock, a clap, or a strong hit.

Common phrases

  • 手を叩くte o tata ku

    clap one's hands

  • ドアを叩くdo a o tata ku

    knock on a door

  • 肩を叩くkata o tata ku

    tap someone on the shoulder

Similar words

打つutsu: To strike something with the hand or an object, including in sports or music.
ノックするnokkusuru: To strike a door or surface to make a sound before entering or speaking.

Definition in Japanese

手や道具で対象を打ち、衝撃を加える。te ya dō gu de tai shō o u chi shō geki o kuwa e ru

Word origin

叩く (tataku, "to hit") is a native Japanese verb with no securely known earlier form or borrowing source; its usual kanji 叩 (kō, "knock") records its meaning without proving its origin.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 太鼓を叩く (taiko o tataku) refers to playing a drum by striking its surface, so the verb also appears in musical contexts.

Other meanings

  • knockverb
  • clapverb
  • tapverb

Related words

  • 叩き方tatakikataway of hittingnoun

Word lists with this word