Language: Hitting with the hand

Hitting with the hand: slap, smack and punch

Slap and smack are both used about hitting someone with an open hand. Slap is usually used about hitting someone across the face:
She slapped his face.
Smack is usually used about hitting children:
Be quiet or I’ll smack you!
I’ll smack your bottom if you don’t behave!
Punch is used about hitting someone or something with a closed hand:
A boxer tries to punch his opponent.

* Cultural Note:

It is generally believed that women tend to slap and men tend to punch.

Different types of slap

A slap is a quick hit with the flat part of the hand:
He gave her a slap on the cheek.
Different parts of a person’s body can be literally slapped; there are also some language expressions with the word slap and body parts containing metaphorical meanings:
A slap in the face is an action that seems to be aimed directly and intentionally against someone else; rebuff:
It was a slap in the face for her parents when she ignored their advice and gave up her job.
A slap on the back is an expression of praise or thanks for something done; congratulations.
A slap on the wrist is a gentle (perhaps too gentle) punishment or warning:
The law ought to be tougher; we shouldn’t just give criminals a slap on the wrist!