rap

Compared meaning: the sound of knocking on a door (noun).

比较义项：敲击、敲门声（名词）。

• knock

  General, neutral word for a firm knocking sound; covers taps of any force or speed, from light to loud, in ordinary everyday contexts.

  泛指有力的敲击声，力度可轻可重，节奏可快可慢，是日常各种场合都适用的中性说法。

  There was a loud knock at the door just as we sat down to eat.

  我们刚坐下吃饭，门上就传来一声响亮的敲击声。

• rap 本词

  Describes a quick, light, sharp knocking sound, usually made with the knuckles; suggests a brisk, crisp tap rather than a heavy or sustained knock.

  指用指关节发出的又快又轻、清脆的敲击声，强调短促利落，而非沉重或持续的敲击。

  She heard a quick rap on the window and looked up.

  她听到窗户上传来一声又快又轻的敲击声，抬起头看了看。

Knock and rap both mean the sound of hitting a door. Rap is a quick, light, sharp knock, usually with the knuckles. Knock is a general, neutral word for a firm knock, of any force. Not compared: rap as music, or knock as criticize.

knock 和 rap 都指敲门或敲物发出的声音，但 rap 特指又快又轻、清脆短促的敲击，knock 则是泛指有力敲击声的中性说法，力度和节奏都不限定。这里不比较 rap 作为“说唱（音乐）”或“拍打（手掌）”的意思，也不比较 knock 作为“批评，指责”的非正式用法。