expression, godan verb (-ku)
clap one's hands
General expression for clapping, such as applauding, keeping rhythm, or getting someone's attention.
みんなで手を叩いて歌った。
We all clapped our hands and sang.
彼は手を叩いてウェイターを呼んだ。
He clapped his hands to call the waiter.
Standard kanji spelling.
Kana spelling of the verb part; common in informal writing or for learners.
拍手 is a noun meaning 'applause' or 'clapping', while 手を叩く is a verb phrase describing the action of clapping.
Compound of 手 (hand) + を (object marker) + 叩く (to strike, hit). Literally 'to strike one's hands'.