Tap in different languages

Tap in Different Languages

Discover 'Tap' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'tap' is a simple, everyday term that holds great significance in many aspects of our lives. It can refer to the action of striking a surface lightly and quickly, or the sound that results from such an action. In the world of plumbing, a tap is the device that controls the flow of water in a pipe. Culturally, tapping can also refer to a lively, rhythmic dance, or the beat that drives it.

Given its wide range of uses, it's no surprise that the word 'tap' has been translated into various languages around the world. For instance, in Spanish, 'tap' translates to 'pestillo' or 'grifo' depending on the context. In French, it's 'robinet', while in German, it's 'Hahn'. In Japanese, the word for tap is 'タップ (tappu)', which is derived from the English word.

Exploring the translations of 'tap' in different languages offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural nuances and linguistic diversity of the world. Below is a list of translations of 'tap' in various languages, providing a small but enlightening journey into the rich tapestry of global language and culture.

Tap


Tap in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanstik
"Tik" in Afrikaans also refers to the sound made by a clock or watch.
Amharicመታ ያድርጉ
The Amharic word መታ ያድርጉ originates from the verb መትቶ (to hit or strike) and means literally “to make something hit,” suggesting the action of tapping or gently hitting.
Hausafamfo
"Famfo" can also refer to any part of the body that protrudes, such as the elbow, knee, or forehead.
Igbomgbata
In Igbo language, 'Mgba-ta' can also refer to a tree, a medicinal herb, and a part of a traditional Igbo attire for women.
Malagasypaompy
The word "paompy" in Malagasy is a homonym for "tap" and "to punch".
Nyanja (Chichewa)dinani
The word "dinani" in Nyanja can also be used to refer to a water pipe.
Shonapombi
"Pombi" is a Shona word likely derived from the indigenous Zulu word "ibhomu" meaning spring or natural water source.
Somalitubbada
"Tubbada" can also refer to a water pipe or fountain in Somali.
Sesothotlanya
The word "tlanya" can also mean "to draw water" or "to pour water".
Swahilibomba
The Swahili word "bomba" derives from the Portuguese term "bomba", meaning "pump", further related to the Latin verb "bombare" signifying "to make a noise". The word "bomba" also commonly denotes "explosion" in Swahili.
Xhosaitephu
Itephu is also a type of spear that was used by the Xhosa people.
Yorubatẹ ni kia kia
The verb `tẹ ni kia kia` also means to `knock` on a surface.
Zuluthepha
The Zulu word “thepha” can also refer to the act of tapping or knocking.
Bambaraworobinɛ
Eweƒo edzi
Kinyarwandakanda
Lingalabeta
Lugandataapu
Sepedithepe
Twi (Akan)twe bi

Tap in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicصنبور
The Arabic word "صنبور" (tap) originates from the Persian word "سنبور", which itself is derived from the Greek word "σιφωνος" (siphon).
Hebrewבֶּרֶז
"בֶּרֶז" is the Hebrew word for tap, faucet or valve and it etymologically relates to the term "to separate (waters)" (בָּרַז).
Pashtoد نل
The Pashto word "د نل" ("tap") is derived from the Persian word "نل" ("tap")
Arabicصنبور
The Arabic word "صنبور" (tap) originates from the Persian word "سنبور", which itself is derived from the Greek word "σιφωνος" (siphon).

Tap in Western European Languages

Albaniantrokitje e lehtë
This polysemic expression can also denote a simple, quick, and effective technique in different fields, as well as a kind of traditional Albanian cheese.
Basqueukitu
The Basque word "ukitu" also means "to touch".
Catalanaixeta
In old Catalan texts, 'aixeta' was a synonym of 'aigua beneita' (holy water) and 'aixetar' meant 'to bless with holy water'
Croatiantapnite
In Croatian, the word "tapnite" can also mean "to hit" or "to strike".
Danishtryk på
"Tryk på" originally means "press onto", and is a common idiom for hitting a key e.g. "tryk på enter".
Dutchkraan
"Kraan" in Dutch can mean tap, but it can also refer to the bird known as the crowned crane.
Englishtap
The word 'tap' can refer to a flowing liquid, a device used to release liquid, or the act of slightly hitting something.
Frenchrobinet
The French word "robinet" (tap) derives from the Old French word "robin" (spigot), which in turn comes from the Latin word "rostrum" (beak).
Frisiantap
In some Frisian dialects, "tap" can also refer to a young male sheep.
Galiciantoque
In Galician, "toque" also means "knock" or "touch", and is related to the English word "tact".
Germanzapfhahn
The word "Zapfhahn" is cognate with the English "tap" and the Middle Low German word "tappe".
Icelandicbankaðu á
The word "bankaðu á" can also mean "knock on" or "ring".
Irishsconna
The word "sconna" in Irish can also refer to an opening or hole, such as the eye of a needle, the nozzle of a teapot, or a vent for smoke.
Italianrubinetto
Rubinetto, the Italian word for "tap," originates from the Latin word "rubineus," meaning "reddish."
Luxembourgishtippen
"Tippen" in Luxembourgish can also mean "to write" or "to type".
Maltesetaptap
The Maltese word "taptap" also refers to a shared mini-bus or taxi.
Norwegiantrykk
"Trykk" also refers to the pressure exerted by something.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)toque
The word "toque" derives from the French "touche" and can also mean "hat" in French Portuguese.
Scots Gaelictap
Scots Gaelic "tap" also means "ram".
Spanishgrifo
In Spanish, the word "grifo" can also refer to a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, similar to the griffin in English.
Swedishknacka
The word "knacka" in Swedish also means "knock" and "to break".
Welshtap
In Welsh, "tap" can also refer to a knob, peg, or tenon.

Tap in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianкран
"Кран" is also the Belarusian word for "crane" (the bird), as in many other Slavic languages, although this usage is becoming outdated.
Bosniantapnite
"Tapnite" (tap) can also refer to a place where people gather to socialize, similar to a pub or bar.
Bulgarianдокоснете
The word "докоснете" also means "touch" or "come into contact with" in Bulgarian.
Czechklepněte na
In Czech, "klepněte na" is also used figuratively to mean "to contact" or "to approach" someone.
Estonianpuudutage
The word "puudutage" derives from the Estonian word "puutuma," meaning "to touch" or "to come into contact."
Finnishnapauta
"Napauttaa" can also mean "to type" or "to click".
Hungariankoppintson a
In Hungarian colloquial usage, "koppintson a" also means "knock" or "call"}
Latviankrāns
The Latvian word "krāns" is cognate with the Old Prussian "cranto" ("pipe") and the Lithuanian word "kranas," also meaning "tap".
Lithuanianpalieskite
Derived from the Slavic root "palit" meaning "to burn", "palieskite" also refers to burning incense during pagan rituals in Lithuanian.
Macedonianдопрете
"Допрете" can also mean "to reach" or "to arrive" in Macedonian.
Polishkran
The Polish word 'kran' comes from the German 'Kran' meaning 'crane', as the earliest taps resembled cranes with a spout and handle.
Romanianatingeți
In Romanian, "atingere" (touch) may also mean contact or communication.
Russianнажмите
In Russian, the word "нажмите" can also mean "click".
Serbianславина
The word "славина" (tap) in Serbian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "slavina", which means "glory" or "fame".
Slovakťuknite
The word "ťuknite" in Slovak also means "to click" and is related to the word "ťukanie" (knocking).
Sloveniantapnite
In Slovenian, the word "tapnite" can also mean "to type" or "to write on a keyboard"
Ukrainianнатисніть
The prefix 'на' is used in this word to mean 'down,' and the verb 'ти́снути (tysnúty)' can mean to squeeze, to push, or even to oppress.

Tap in South Asian Languages

Bengaliট্যাপ করুন
In addition to its primary meaning, "tap" also refers to a light blow or a gentle touch.
Gujaratiનળ
The word "નળ" can refer to a "faucet", "tap", "pipe", or even a "fountain" depending on the context.
Hindiनल टोटी
"नल टोटी" is a compound word formed by combining "नल" (pipe) and "टोटी" (spout), thus originally meaning "a pipe with a spout".
Kannadaಟ್ಯಾಪ್ ಮಾಡಿ
In addition to its primary meaning, "ಟ್ಯಾಪ್ ಮಾಡಿ" can also refer to the act of tapping a surface to check its resonance.
Malayalamടാപ്പുചെയ്യുക
The Malayalam word "ടാപ്പുചെയ്യുക" can refer to extracting liquid from a vessel or to obtaining information from a source.
Marathiटॅप करा
In Marathi, the word "टॅप (tap)" also means "to connect" or "to establish a connection".
Nepaliट्याप गर्नुहोस्
The word "ट्याप गर्नुहोस्" (tap) in Nepali has many alternate meanings, from the act of lightly hitting something to the sound of a small bell.
Punjabiਟੈਪ ਕਰੋ
The word ਟੈਪ ਕਰੋ comes from the English word "tap", which has several meanings, including: a device for controlling the flow of a liquid; a faucet; a gentle blow; or a light touch.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)තට්ටු කරන්න
තට්ටු කරන්න was also used in some contexts to mean to make an official statement by a body with legal jurisdiction.
Tamilதட்டவும்
The Tamil word "தட்டவும்" ("tap") can also refer to the action of beating or striking something, or to the sound produced by such actions.
Teluguనొక్కండి
Urduنل
The word "نل" also means "pipe" or "tube" in Urdu.

Tap in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)轻拍
The term "轻拍" can also refer to a gentle stroke, a pat, or figuratively, a slight reprimand.
Chinese (Traditional)輕拍
輕拍 can be used metaphorically to refer to an extremely gentle action or the quiet sound that something makes when falling on the floor.}
Japaneseタップ
The Japanese word "tap" can also refer to a faucet, a spigot, or a tap dance.
Korean꼭지
"꼭지" also means "top" or "peak" in Korean, referencing where water flows from a tap.
Mongolianцорго
An alternate meaning of the Mongolian word "цорго" is "a short, thick stick".
Myanmar (Burmese)ထိပုတ်ပါ

Tap in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankeran
"Keran" is derived from the Dutch word "kraan" and is related to the German "kran" and English "crane".
Javanesetutul
The Javanese word "tutul" also refers to a small, round mark similar to a dot.
Khmerប៉ះ
The term "ប៉ះ" also refers to the act of striking or touching an object.
Laoປາດ
The Lao word "ປາດ" (tap) is derived from the Pali and Sanskrit word "ਪਾਦਾ" meaning "foot," and is also used figuratively to refer to the "base" of a tree or mountain.
Malayketuk
The word "ketuk" in Malay is also used to describe a traditional form of percussion music.
Thaiแตะ
แตะ (tap) comes from Sanskrit "trapu" meaning "to clap, strike"
Vietnamesegõ nhẹ
The word "gõ nhẹ" can also mean "knock" or "hit" in Vietnamese.
Filipino (Tagalog)tapikin

Tap in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanivurun
The Turkish word "vurmak" (to hit) may have ultimately derived from the Azerbaijan word "vurun" (to tap), which is used in a similar "percussive" sense.
Kazakhтүртіңіз
The word is also used in Kazakh to refer to a "tap" of a horse
Kyrgyzтаптап
The word "таптап" in Kyrgyz can also refer to a footbridge or a shallow ford.
Tajikламс кунед
The word "ламс кунед" comes from Persian which means either water or oil tap.
Turkmenkran
Uzbekga teging
"Ga teging" is an Uzbek phrase that can also mean "to knock on a door".
Uyghurtap

Tap in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianpiula wai
In Hawaiian, "piula wai" also refers to a faucet or a spigot, devices that control the flow of liquids.
Maoripaato
The Maori word 'paato' can also refer to a spigot, faucet, or valve.
Samoantata
"Tata" also means "to feel or grope about in the dark" in Samoan.
Tagalog (Filipino)tapikin
The Tagalog word "tapikin" (tap) is also used to refer to a game similar to tag.

Tap in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarallamkt'aña
Guaraniysẽha

Tap in International Languages

Esperantofrapeti
The word "frapeti" is based on the onomatopoeic word "frap" (to hit with a sharp sound) and the Esperanto suffix "-et-," which indicates a small action.
Latinictus
The word "ictus" also means stress or accent in prosody and rhythm, as well as a musical beat or pulsation.

Tap in Others Languages

Greekπαρακέντηση
The word “paracentesis” derives from Greek "para- + kenteein", meaning "to puncture beside" and refers to a surgical procedure in which fluid is removed from a body cavity using a small puncture.
Hmongcoj mus rhaub
In certain contexts, "coj mus rhaub" can also refer to "dripping" or "leaking".
Kurdishdîk
The Kurdish word 'dîk' ('tap') may be derived from the Persian 'dīg', a term for a large cooking vessel.
Turkishdokunmak
Dokunmak (tap) derives from Proto-Turkic *dok-, meaning "to push, to touch".
Xhosaitephu
Itephu is also a type of spear that was used by the Xhosa people.
Yiddishצאַפּן
The word "צאַפּן" can also mean "to draw liquid" or "to spout out" in Yiddish.
Zuluthepha
The Zulu word “thepha” can also refer to the act of tapping or knocking.
Assameseটিপক
Aymarallamkt'aña
Bhojpuriनल
Dhivehiފެން އިސްކުރު
Dogriटूटी
Filipino (Tagalog)tapikin
Guaraniysẽha
Ilocanopikpik
Kriotap
Kurdish (Sorani)بەلوعە
Maithiliनल
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯀꯣꯟꯖꯤꯟ
Mizokik
Oromoqeensuu
Odia (Oriya)ଟ୍ୟାପ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ |
Quechuatakay
Sanskritनाल
Tatarтап
Tigrinyaንኽእ ኣብል
Tsongakhumbha

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