拍 means “rhythm, beat, clap”

はく · haku

Also: beat (music)

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ハク, ヒョウ

Taught in secondary school · 8 strokes

The story

A hand (扌) striking white (白) space: 拍 is the pulse that divides silence into music. In Japanese festivals, the rhythmic 拍子 of taiko drums creates thunderous patterns that sync the heartbeats of an entire crowd.

Used in 拍手 (hakushu, applause/clapping), 拍子 (hyoushi, rhythm/beat), and 一拍 (ippaku, one beat)

More from Music & Arts

• 弦 string (instrument)
• 笛 flute
• 鼓 drum
• 音 sound
• 曲 melody
• 唱 chant
• 演 perform
• 芸 art
• 美 beauty
• 歌 song
• 楽 music
• 踊 dance

Learn 拍 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.