menepuk

Menepuk is a verb in Indonesian and Malay meaning to strike lightly with the palm on a surface, or to pat. The sense is determined by the object and context; for example, menepuk bahu means to pat the shoulder, and menepuk dinding means to pat the wall. When the hands themselves are the target, the action is often understood as clapping, as in menepuk tangan, though the more common expression for applause is bertepuk tangan.

The noun tepuk refers to the act or sound of striking or clapping; tepukan can mean an instance of applause or a single pat. In everyday usage, bertepuk tangan is the standard phrase for applause, while menepuk tangan is also heard in more literal descriptions of the action.

Etymology: the word derives from tepuk with the prefix me-, forming a transitive verb. It is used in both Indonesian and Malay with similar meanings, though regional preference and formality can affect whether bertepuk tangan or menepuk tangan is used for applause.

Usage notes: the verb implies an intentional, often relatively gentle impact rather than a hard slap. In context, specifying the body part or object clarifies whether the action is a pat, a tap, or an instance of applause.