to clap / gossip / slap
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to clap
To repeatedly strike the hands together to produce a sound, usually as a sign of approval (applause) or to create a rhythm.
Nach dem Konzert klatschte das Publikum begeistert.
After the concert, the audience clapped enthusiastically.
to gossip
To talk about other people in a derogatory or nosy way; to gossip.
Die Nachbarinnen treffen sich oft am Gartenzaun, um über die anderen Leute im Dorf zu klatschen.
The neighbor women often meet at the garden fence to gossip about the other people in the village.
to slap
To produce a sound that occurs when something soft or wet hits a surface.
Die nassen Segel klatschten im Wind gegen den Mast.
The wet sails slapped against the mast in the wind.
to slap someone
Colloquial for hitting someone with the flat of the hand; to give someone a slap.
Wenn du das noch einmal sagst, klatsch ich dir eine!
If you say that one more time, I'll slap you!
You can recognize the meaning of 'klatschen' (to clap/gossip/slap) from the context. If it is about applause, hands or an audience are often involved. When it means gossiping, the preposition 'über' (+ accusative) is a clear signal. If an object is making the sound, wetness or wind is often mentioned.
Alle klatschten, als der Redner fertig war.
Everyone clapped when the speaker was finished.
When it is about applause, the phrase 'in die Hände klatschen' (to clap one's hands) is often used. You can also say 'Beifall klatschen' (to applaud) to emphasize the approving intention.
Die kleinen Kinder lernten im Kreis zu singen und in die Hände zu klatschen.
The little children learned to sing in a circle and clap their hands.
In the meaning 'tratschen' (to gossip), 'klatschen' (to gossip) is always used with the preposition 'über' and the accusative. The object after 'über' is the person or topic being talked about.
Sie saßen stundenlang im Café und klatschten über die ganze Stadt.
They sat in the café for hours and gossiped about the whole town.
The colloquial expression 'jemandem eine klatschen' (to slap someone) means to give someone a slap. The person who is hit is always in the dative.
Er wurde so wütend, dass er seinem Gegner am liebsten eine geklatscht hätte.
He got so angry that he would have loved to slap his opponent.
to applaud
Klatschen initially describes repeatedly striking one's hands together and can also be used to create a rhythm. Applaudieren, by contrast, explicitly means showing applause or appreciation by clapping. One klatscht für jemanden, but one applaudiert jemandem.
Nach dem Lied klatschte das Publikum begeistert für die Sängerin.
After the song, the audience enthusiastically clapped for the singer.
Nach dem Lied applaudierte das Publikum begeistert der Sängerin.
After the song, the audience enthusiastically applauded the singer.
