巴掌 (bāzhang) refers to the palm of the hand or a slap. It is commonly used in the context of physical actions, such as clapping or striking someone. The term can also convey emotions, such as frustration or anger, when discussing a slap in a figurative sense.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
bāzhang(ba1zhang3) T1
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May 27, 2026
巴掌bāzhang(ba1zhang3)
巴掌 (bāzhang) refers to the palm of the hand or a slap. It is commonly used in the context of physical actions, such as clapping or striking someone. The term can also convey emotions, such as frustration or anger, when discussing a slap in a figurative sense.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the palm or slap can symbolize not just physical action but also a way to express discontent or frustration, often seen in comedic contexts in movies or dramas.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant hand (巴) that is about to slap someone with a loud 'bang' (掌). The image of the hand coming down can help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation of 巴掌.
About 巴掌
巴掌Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 巴掌
Podcast: 巴掌
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AI Study Notes for 巴掌
Quick Contrast
掌 (zhǎng) — use 巴掌 (bāzhang) specifically for the palm or slap context, while 掌 (zhǎng) can refer more generally to the act of controlling or holding.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant hand (巴) that is about to slap someone with a loud 'bang' (掌). The image of the hand coming down can help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation of 巴掌.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 巴掌 with other hand-related terms like 手 (shǒu), which means 'hand.' In informal contexts, 巴掌 can describe playful slapping, but in formal situations, it may sound aggressive. Common collocations include '打巴掌' (dǎ bāzhang - to slap).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, focus on using 巴掌 in more complex sentences and contexts, such as discussing emotions or physical actions. Connect it with other verbs related to hand movements like 拍 (pāi - to pat) or 打 (dǎ - to hit).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the palm or slap can symbolize not just physical action but also a way to express discontent or frustration, often seen in comedic contexts in movies or dramas.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 巴掌 with 拳头 (quántóu - fist), mistakenly using 巴掌 when they mean to refer to a fist. For example, saying '他用巴掌打我' (He hit me with a palm) instead of '他用拳头打我' (He hit me with a fist).
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 巴掌
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Cultural Notes for 巴掌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the palm or slap can symbolize not just physical action but also a way to express discontent or frustration, often seen in comedic contexts in movies or dramas.
Frequently Asked Questions about 巴掌
No, it can also refer to the palm of the hand and is used in various contexts beyond just slapping.
Generally, 巴掌 is more suitable for informal contexts, while formal writing may prefer more neutral terms.
巴掌 specifically refers to the palm or the act of slapping, whereas 手 is the general term for 'hand'.
