"Manotazo" is a noun.
/manaˈtaθo/ (in Spain) or /manaˈtaso/ (in Latin America, including Chile)
The word "manotazo" can be translated into English as: - slap - smack - a whack
"Manotazo" refers to a strike made with the hand, usually implying a sudden or forceful motion. It denotes physical contact that can be aggressive or playful, depending on the context. The word is frequently used in both oral speech and written contexts, with a slight leaning towards oral speech due to its everyday and colloquial usage.
El niño le dio un manotazo al perro porque estaba jugando.
The boy gave a slap to the dog because he was playing.
En la competencia, el atleta dio un manotazo al balón para marcar un punto.
In the competition, the athlete gave a whack to the ball to score a point.
No me pegues un manotazo, solo quería ayudarte.
Don't give me a slap; I just wanted to help you.
"Manotazo" also appears in some idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are a few examples:
El jefe dio un manotazo encima de la mesa para que todos escucharan su decisión.
(The boss slammed his hand on the table to make sure everyone heard his decision.)
Dar manotazos de ahogado.
(To give desperate slaps.)
Meaning: To act desperately when one is in a difficult situation.
Está dando manotazos de ahogado en su trabajo, pero no logra salir de los problemas.
(He is acting desperately in his job, but he can't solve his problems.)
Un manotazo de suerte.
(A stroke of luck.)
Meaning: An unexpected fortunate event.
The word "manotazo" comes from "mano," meaning "hand," combined with the suffix "-azo," which often conveys intensity or emphasis in Spanish. Thus, it literally translates to a "powerful action of the hand."
This comprehensive evaluation of "manotazo" demonstrates its usage, idiomatic significance, and context within the Spanish language, specifically in Chile.