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How to Say ‘Is clapping’ in Portuguese

Está a bater palmas

esh-TAH ah bah-TAIR PAL-mush

[esh-TAH ah bah-TAIR PAL-mush]

💬 Usage Tip: European Portuguese often says estar a + verb for actions in progress: está a bater palmas, está a gritar. It's the standard Portugal way to say "is clapping" or "is shouting."

Phrase Breakdown

Está

[esh-TAH]

A form of estar, used here in a continuous action expression.

Example

Ela está a sorrir e «Está a bater palmas».

She is smiling and "is clapping."

[ah]

In European Portuguese, this a is part of the structure estar a + infinitive, used like the English -ing form.

Example

Ela está a festejar e está a bater palmas.

She is celebrating and is clapping.

bater

[bah-TAIR]

clap / hit

The verb bater can mean to hit, beat, or clap depending on context. With palmas, it means to clap.

Example

Quando a equipa marca, ela começa a bater palmas.

When the team scores, she starts clapping.

palmas

[PAL-mush]

claps / applause

Palmas means claps or applause; bater palmas means to clap.

Example

Está a bater palmas depois do grande golo.

She is clapping after the great goal.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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