Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dar golpecitos | /daɾ ɡolpeθitos/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /daɾ ɡolpesitos/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| tamborilear | /tamboɾileˈaɾ/ |
| tamborear | /tamboɾeˈaɾ/ |
| tabalear | /tabaleaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
When you want to express the action of touching something, often repeatedly, use the verb forms provided. If you are referring to a single tap or touch on a touchscreen or digital interface, the noun toque is the most common term used in both technical and everyday contexts. For a connection made to an electrical or fluid conductor without breaking it, the noun derivación is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dar golpecitos is composed of the verb dar (to give) and the diminutive form of golpe (hit/blow), literally meaning "to give little hits".
Which one should you use?
While dar golpecitos is a general way to say tap, tamborilear specifically implies a rhythmic tapping, such as drumming one's fingers on a table.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/daɾ ɡolpeθitos/
Did you know?
- The verb tamborear can describe not just finger tapping, but the rhythmic drumming of a bird's beak against a tree.
- While dar golpecitos means 'to give little hits', the root word golpe can also refer to a 'stroke' of luck or a sudden 'hit' of emotion.
- The word toque for a digital tap also describes a 'touch' of a musical instrument, such as the specific way a musician strikes a key.
Examples in context
- Por favor, cierre el grifo del agua.Please turn off the water tap.
- Necesitaría reparar la llave del lavabo.I would need to fix the sink tap.
- ¡Cierra el grifito de una vez!Close the tap already!
- Asegúrate de cerrar bien la llavecita del lavamanos.Make sure to close the small tap of the bathroom sink tightly.
- Abre la canilla para llenar el balde.Open the tap to fill the bucket.
- Voy a cerrar la llave de paso del agua.I'm going to turn off the water tap.
- No dejes de dar golpecitos en la mesa.Don't stop tapping on the table.
- Él empezó a dar golpecitos en el cristal.He started to tap on the glass.
Example conversation
María and Javier are looking at a tablet together.
- MaríaJavier, intenta dar golpecitos aquí para abrir el menú.Javier, try tapping here to open the menu.
- JavierNo pasa nada cuando doy golpecitos.Nothing happens when I tap.
- MaríaPrueba a dar golpecitos más rápido.Try tapping faster.
- Javier¡Ahora sí funcionó!Now it worked!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tap” translations and entries tamborilear, tamborear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
