palmadita

Palmadita is a Spanish term meaning “little palm slap” or “little pat.” It is a diminutive form of palmada, which denotes a slap delivered with the palm or a pat on the body. The word is used across Spanish-speaking regions to describe a light, quick touch—whether as a friendly pat on the shoulder, a gesture of affection, or a mild reprimand. The exact connotation depends on context, tone, and relationship between speakers.

In everyday use, a palmadita may signal warmth and familiarity, or be employed playfully to coax a child or acknowledge good behavior without causing harm.

In performance and rhythm contexts, palmada or palmadita can refer to a percussive sound produced by the palm, used to keep or reinforce rhythm. In many Iberian and Afro-Latin musical traditions, similar terms describe hand-based percussion or clapping patterns that contribute to the tempo and feel of a piece. The broader term palmada, not necessarily the diminutive, is the act of delivering a palm strike.

In martial arts and combat sports, palmada is used to denote a palm strike—a technique where the flat of the hand makes contact with an opponent, typically at short range. Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that blends combat with dance, features palm strikes as part of its repertoire alongside other hand techniques.