Definition
拍 (pāi) has two common verb meanings: (1) to pat/clap/slap with the hand — this is lighter and more specific than 打 (dǎ, to hit/strike), and unlike 鼓掌 (gǔzhǎng) it doesn't mean applauding; (2) to take a photo or shoot a film — this is the colloquial short form, while 拍照 (pāi zhào) is the full verb-object and 拍摄 (pāi shè) is more formal, used for film/video.
verb
to patclapslapor strike (with the hand)to flapto take (a photo)to shoot (a film)
noun
racket (sports)beat (music)
Easily confused
- 百bǎilook-alikehundred
- 派pàisound-aliketo send, to dispatch, to assign
- 怕pàlook-alike(verb) to be afraid of, to fear
- 牌páisound-alikeplaying card, mahjong tile, or game piece
- 报bàolook-aliketo report, to announce
- 排páisound-alike(verb) to arrange; to line up; to put in order
Examples
- 拍。Tā pāi le yí xià zhuōzi.He gave the table a pat.
- 拍。Wǒ gěi tā pāi le yì zhāng zhàopiàn.I took a photo of her.
- 。Zhège qiúpāi hěn hǎo yòng.This racket is very easy to use.
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