(pāi) — (verb) to pat, clap, slap, or strike (with the hand); to flap; (verb) to take (a photo); to shoot (a film); (noun) racket (sports); beat (music)

Definition

拍 covers two main meanings: 'pat/clap' (lighter, with the hand) versus the broader 打 'hit/strike'; and 'take a photo/shoot a film' (verb) — 拍照 is the everyday phrase, 拍摄 more formal. As a noun, it means a racket or musical beat.

verb
to patclapslapor strike (with the hand)to flapto take (a photo)to shoot (a film)
noun
racket (sports)beat (music)

Examples

  • Tā pāi le yí xià zhuō zi.
    He gave the table a pat.
  • Wǒ gěi tā pāi le yì zhāng zhào piàn.
    I took a photo of her.
  • Zhè ge qiú pāi hěn hǎo yòng.
    This racket is very easy to use.

Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.