Translation guide
The act of hitting with an open hand, often on the face or body. Japanese has several verbs and onomatopoeic expressions to describe slapping, varying by force, sound, and context.
To describe the action of hitting someone or something with an open palm, typically producing a sharp sound.
A noun meaning 'slap with the palm'. Often used in formal or descriptive contexts. Can be used with する to mean 'to slap'.
彼は彼女に平手打ちをした。
He slapped her.
A common, slightly informal noun for a slap, especially to the face. Often used in everyday speech and manga. Can be used with する or 張る.
いきなりビンタされた。
I was suddenly slapped.
A general verb meaning 'to hit' or 'to strike'. Can mean 'to slap' when context implies an open hand, but it's broader than just slapping. Use with care.
彼の顔を叩いた。
I slapped his face.
A verb meaning 'to slap' (often the face) in a rough or violent manner. Commonly used in the phrase ビンタを張る.
思い切りビンタを張ってやった。
I gave him a good hard slap.
To describe the sound of a slap, often used in manga, novels, or casual speech.
Onomatopoeia for a sharp, crisp slap sound. Often used with と.
パシッと頬を打った。
He slapped her cheek with a sharp sound.
Onomatopoeia for a loud, echoing slap. Suggests a stronger impact.
パーンという音が部屋に響いた。
A loud slapping sound echoed through the room.
To refer to slapping used in a disciplinary context, such as a parent slapping a child or a teacher slapping a student (though less common today).
As above, but used in contexts of punishment. Neutral term.
子供に平手打ちをするのは教育上良くない。
Slapping a child is not good for their education.
Can be used for a disciplinary slap, but often carries a more violent or emotional nuance.
To describe the action of slapping oneself, often on the cheeks, to stay alert or as a gesture of determination.
Literally 'to slap one's own cheeks'. The most straightforward way to express this.
眠気を覚ますために自分の頬を叩いた。
I slapped my own cheeks to wake myself up.
To slap one's cheeks to psych oneself up. Uses 張る for a firmer slap.
試合前に気合を入れるために頬を張った。
Before the match, I slapped my cheeks to fire myself up.
叩く (tataku) is a general verb for hitting/striking and can include slapping, but it's not specific. 張る (haru) specifically means to slap, often with force, and is commonly used with ビンタ. 平手打ち (hirateuchi) is a noun meaning 'a slap with the palm' and is more formal/descriptive. In casual speech, ビンタ is the most common word for a slap to the face.
English 'slap' can be used in many figurative ways (e.g., 'slap on the wrist', 'slap together'). These do not translate directly to Japanese slapping words. Use appropriate idioms or rephrase.
おざなりな罰
a slap on the wrist (lit. perfunctory punishment)
I've been slapped by my parent before.