to knock / beat / tap
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to knock
To strike audibly against something one or more times with the hand or an object in order to attract attention, for example at a door.
Es klopft an der Tür, machst du bitte auf?
There's a knock at the door; could you please open it?
to beat
Describes the fast or strong beating of the heart, often due to excitement, fear, or exertion.
Vor der Prüfung klopfte mein Herz bis zum Hals.
Before the exam, my heart was beating in my throat.
to tap / pound
To strike lightly or repeatedly on a surface in order to loosen something (e.g., dust from a rug) or shape something (e.g., meat).
Bevor man das Schnitzel paniert, muss man es mit einem Fleischklopfer flach klopfen.
Before you bread the schnitzel, you have to pound it flat with a meat tenderizer.
to knock on wood
A superstitious gesture in which you knock on wood to ward off bad luck after saying something positive. Often accompanied by 'toi, toi, toi.'
Bisher bin ich diese Woche noch nicht krank gewesen, ich klopfe mal schnell auf Holz.
So far I haven't been sick yet this week; I'll quickly knock on wood.
The meaning of 'klopfen' (to knock/beat/tap) becomes clear through the grammatical construction. 'An die Tür klopfen' (to knock on the door) means to ask to be let in. If 'das Herz' (the heart) is the subject, it refers to a fast pulse. The fixed expression 'auf Holz klopfen' (to knock on wood) has a superstitious meaning.
Wer hat denn da so spät noch an die Scheibe geklopft?
Who was knocking on the window so late?
When you knock on a door or window to attract attention, you use the preposition 'an' followed by the accusative.
Der Postbote klopfte laut an die Haustür.
The mail carrier knocked loudly on the front door.
When the heart is beating quickly or strongly, 'das Herz' (the heart) is the subject of the verb 'klopfen' (to beat). This phrase describes a physical reaction to fear, exertion, or joy.
Als ich die gute Nachricht hörte, klopfte mein Herz wie verrückt.
When I heard the good news, my heart was beating like crazy.
In this meaning, what is supposed to be achieved by knocking or tapping is often described. Typical patterns are 'etwas aus etwas klopfen' (to beat something out of something, e.g., dust out of a rug) or 'etwas flach klopfen' (to pound something flat, e.g., a schnitzel).
Sie klopfte den Staub aus der alten Decke.
She beat the dust out of the old blanket.
'Auf Holz klopfen' (to knock on wood) is a fixed expression. You do this to symbolically ward off bad luck after speaking about your own good fortune or success. People often say 'Toi, toi, toi' along with it.
Ich hatte dieses Jahr noch keine einzige Erkältung. Schnell auf Holz klopfen!
I haven't had a single cold this year. Quick, knock on wood!
to hit / beat
Both words can describe the movement of the heart. „Schlagen“ is the neutral term for a normal heartbeat, while „klopfen“ emphasizes a noticeable, perceptible, or audible sensation, for example during excitement or exertion. Use „schlagen“ for a factual statement and „klopfen“ when the heartbeat is especially noticeable.
Nach dem schnellen Lauf klopfte ihr Herz deutlich in der Brust.
After the fast run, her heart was pounding noticeably in her chest.
Der Arzt stellte fest, dass ihr Herz regelmäßig schlägt.
The doctor determined that her heart was beating regularly.
