Translation guide
The English word 'tap' covers a wide range of actions and objects. This guide focuses on the most common meanings for learners: a light touch or strike, a device for controlling liquid flow (faucet), and the action of drawing liquid. It also covers tapping on a screen or keyboard, and tapping into resources.
To hit or touch something lightly, often with a finger or a small object, producing a soft sound.
The most general and natural way to say 'tap' as a light strike. 軽く (lightly) + 叩く (hit/strike).
He tapped me on the shoulder.
Please tap on the door.
Onomatopoeic expression for a light, rhythmic tapping sound, like knocking on a door. トントン mimics the sound.
Someone tapped on the door.
To poke or prod lightly, often with a finger or beak. Can be used for a light, repeated tap.
A device for controlling the flow of liquid, especially water, from a pipe.
The standard word for a water faucet or tap. Literally 'snake mouth'.
To draw liquid from a container, such as a keg or tree, often using a tap or spigot.
General verb for pouring liquid. When used for tapping a keg, it implies drawing the liquid out.
To press a touchscreen, key, or button lightly and quickly.
The loanword 'tap' used as a suru-verb. Standard for touchscreen interactions.
Please tap the icon.
To make use of a source of energy, knowledge, or money that already exists.
To utilize or make effective use of something. Common for tapping into resources or skills.
While 叩く can mean both 'tap' and 'knock', adding 軽く (lightly) or using onomatopoeia like トントン clarifies the lightness. Without it, 叩く can imply a harder hit.
Both mean faucet. 蛇口 is standard and understood everywhere. カラン is more casual and may sound slightly old-fashioned or regional, but is common in daily speech.
He tapped my arm to get my attention.
Please turn on the tap.
The tap is dripping.
A slightly more casual or old-fashioned word for a water tap, often used in daily conversation. Derived from Dutch 'kraan'.
Turn off the tap.
A technical term for a water faucet or valve, often used in plumbing or product descriptions.
This tap has an automatic sensor.
He tapped beer into a mug.
Literally 'to take out from the tap'. Used when emphasizing the action of dispensing from a tap.
They tapped wine from the barrel.
Tap the screen to launch the app.
Literally 'press lightly'. Can be used for physical buttons or keys, but less common for touchscreens.
Tap the button lightly.
We should tap into his experience.
To use or exploit. Slightly more neutral than 活用, can imply simply using something available.
Tap into new markets.
To draw out or extract. Used when tapping into hidden potential or resources.
Think of ways to tap into his talent.