pat

pat はまず動詞の「軽くポンとたたく」を思い出し、その1回分が名詞になったと覚えると定着しやすいです。強く打つ hit や、指先でコツコツの tap より、手のひらでやさしく触れる感じが pat。pat on the back は「背中を軽くたたく」の定番。そこから、手で小さくまとめた pat of butter という言い方で「バターのひとかけ」にも広がる、と場面で結ぶと忘れにくいです。

Think of pat first as the verb meaning to give a soft little touch with your hand. It is gentler than hit and usually uses the palm more than the fingertip feeling of tap. A common phrase is pat on the back, meaning to touch someone’s back lightly, often to praise or encourage them. From the idea of a small hand-shaped amount, you can also remember a pat of butter.