klappen

Verb

klappen

1. gerund of klappe

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch clappen, from Old Dutch *klappon, from Proto-Germanic *klappōną.

Etymology 2

See etymology on the main entry.

Etymology

A Central and Low German verb of old age; from Middle Low German klappen, probably from Proto-Germanic *klappōną. Cognate with Dutch klappen, English clap, Old High German klapfō (“clapping sound”). Also related with German klaffen (“to be wide open”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈklapən/, [ˈklapən], [ˈklapm̩]
• Hyphenation: klap‧pen

• Audio

  (file)

Verb

klappen (third-person singular simple present klappt, past tense klappte, past participle geklappt, auxiliary haben)

1. (intransitive) to clap (make a soft clapping sound, particularly of something being closed)
2. (transitive) to fold; to flip; to bend (to close or open a hinge)

   Synonyms: umbiegen, umschlagen

   Zum Transport muss diese Liege geklappt werden.

   In order to be transportable, this deckchair needs to be folded.

3. (intransitive, chiefly colloquial) to work (out)

   Synonyms: funktionieren, fluppen (colloquial, regional)

   Wenn alles klappt, bin ich um sieben zu Hause.

   If everything works out, I’ll be home by seven.

Further reading

• klappen in Duden online

Etymology

From Middle High German klopfen, from Old High German klophōn. Cognate with German klopfen.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈklɑpən/

Verb

klappen (third-person singular present klappt, past participle geklappt, auxiliary verb hunn)

1. (transitive) to knock, to beat, to pound
2. (intransitive) to beat, to throb, to pulse
3. (transitive) to beat, to defeat
4. (intransitive) to rattle, to clatter
5. (intransitive, of rabbits) to thump
6. (intransitive) to work out, to go as planned