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啪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
onomatopoetic, a bang soundo, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #11137, Hard
(onom.) bangunknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #11137, Hard
popunknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #11137, Hard
powunknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #11137, Hard
(pa1) T1
  1. 1onomatopoetic, a bang sound
  2. 2(onom.) bang
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(pa1)

The character 啪 (pā) represents an onomatopoetic sound, often mimicking a sharp, sudden noise like a bang or pop. It is commonly used in contexts such as describing the sound of a clap, a slap, or an explosion in storytelling or casual conversation.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#11137DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, onomatopoeic words are widely used in literature and everyday conversation to create vivid imagery, especially in children's stories and comic books. This reflects the cultural appreciation for expressive language.

Memory Tip

Imagine a loud 'pop' sound when you open a bottle of soda. The character 啪 has a '口' (mouth) radical, suggesting the source of the sound, and the '啪' part resembles a hand slapping down, emphasizing the suddenness of the noise.

Meanings of 啪

(pa1)
1onomatopoetic, a bang sound
2(onom.) bang
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 啪

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
拟声词onomatopoeia (onom.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 啪

JasonAmy

Podcast:

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 啪

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a loud 'pop' sound when you open a bottle of soda. The character 啪 has a '口' (mouth) radical, suggesting the source of the sound, and the '啪' part resembles a hand slapping down, emphasizing the suddenness of the noise.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 啪 with other similar-sounding onomatopoeic words like 嗒 (dā) or 哐 (kuāng), which represent different sounds. It is generally used in informal contexts when describing sounds in a vivid way.

HSK Study Tips

Although 啪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK words related to sounds and actions, such as 打 (dǎ, to hit) and 声音 (shēngyīn, sound). Focus on how to use it in phrases to enhance your expressive ability.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, onomatopoeic words are widely used in literature and everyday conversation to create vivid imagery, especially in children's stories and comic books. This reflects the cultural appreciation for expressive language.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 啪 in formal contexts where more standard descriptions of sounds are appropriate. For example, saying '啪' in a formal report would be incorrect; instead, use '声音' (shēngyīn) for sound.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 啪

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Etymology of 啪

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 拍 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 啪?

Decomposition of 啪

IDS Structure⿰口拍
Full Character
=
kou3
left
pai1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 啪?

Write 啪

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 啪

啪 functions as an onomatopoeic word — it imitates a sound. It often functions as an adverbial or stand-alone exclamation rather than a true verb or noun. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

唯一的声响是冰层噼噼____啪碎裂的声音。

The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.

Example Sentences for 啪 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
唯一的声响是冰层噼噼啪啪碎裂的声音。

wéi yī de shēng xiǎng shì bīng céng pī pī pā pā suì liè de shēng yīn。

The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
2
伯克匆匆地瞥了一眼菜单,然后啪地合上了。

bó kè cōng cōng dì piē le yī yǎn cài dān, , rán hòu pā dì hé shàng。

Burke cast a cursory glance at the menu, then flapped it shut.
3
电话线那头噼里啪啦地传来警察局长短促的声音。

diàn huà xiàn nà tóu pī lǐ pā lā dì chuán lái jǐng chá jú cháng duǎn cù de shēng yīn。

The Chief Constable's clipped tones crackled over the telephone line.
4
偶尔会有碎石滚下,扬起大团尘土,噼啪作响。

ǒu ěr huì yǒu suì shí gǔn xià, , yáng qǐ dà tuán chén, tǔ , pī pā。

Occasionally scree fell in a shower of dust and noise.
5
萨姆啪啪不停地把手电筒开了又关。

sà mǔ pā pā bù tíng dì bǎ shǒu diàn tǒng kāi le yòu guān。

Sam was flicking a flashlight on and off.
6
灯突然啪的一声关了,谁都没看见凶手逃走.

dēng tū rán pā de yī shēng guān le, , shuí dū méi kàn jiàn xiōng shǒu táo.

Suddenly the light was snapped off and no one could see the murderer escape.
7
他啪的一声合上书,站起身来。

tā pā de yī shēng hé shàng shū, , zhàn qǐ shēn。

He shut the book with a snap and stood up.
8
鱼的重量很大,把鱼竿啪的一声压成两截了.

yú de zhòng liáng hěn dà, , bǎ yú gān pā de yī shēng yā chéng liǎng jié.

The weight of fish snapped the fishing rod in two.
9
一节原木在壁炉里烧得劈啪作响.

yī jié yuán mù zài bì lú lǐ shāo dé pī pā zuò xiǎng.

A log fire crackled in the fireplace.
10
他的两只衣袖在他那晒黑的瘦胳膊上啪哒啪哒飘动.

tā de liǎng zhī yī xiù zài tā nà shài hēi de shòu gē bó shàng pā dā pā dā piāo dòng.

His sleeves flapped over spare burnt arms.

Cultural Notes for 啪

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, onomatopoeic words are widely used in literature and everyday conversation to create vivid imagery, especially in children's stories and comic books. This reflects the cultural appreciation for expressive language.

Word Family of 啪

Words Containing This Character6
pop
噼里啪啦to pitter-patter噼裡啪啦
噼啪(onom.) for crack, slap, clap, clatter etc
劈啪(onom.) for crack, slap, clap, clatter etc
劈里啪啦to pitter-patter劈裡啪啦
啪哒plop啪噠
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 啪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 啪

You can say '她拍手发出啪的声音' (Tā pāi shǒu fāchū pā de shēngyīn), meaning 'She clapped her hands, making a bang sound.'