Godan verb, transitive verb

  1. to strike, to hit, to beat, to knock, to pound, to bang, to slap, to spank, to tap, to pat, to clap (one's hands), to play (the drums).
  2. to attack, to bash, to criticize, to censure, to flame (on the Internet).
  3. to sound out (someone's views).
  4. to pound (meat or fish), to chop into small pieces.
  5. to beat down the price.
  6. to talk (big, bad, idly, etc.). As ...口を叩く.
  7. Computer terminology.to call, to invoke (e.g. a function).

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
叩く たたく
 
敲く たたく

Contained Kanji Breakdown

strike, beat, kow tow
たた.く はた.く コウ (Kentei Pre-1)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
seal radical (no. 26)
セツ わりふ (Kentei 1)