taper
/ta.pe/
The French word for the act of typing is taper.
The verb taper is used to express the action of typing. However, because taper can also mean 'to hit' or 'to strike' in many other contexts, you often need the context of a computer or keyboard to clarify that you mean typing. For more specificity regarding the physical act of typing on a keyboard, you can use the phrase taper sur le clavier.
Meaning: the act of typing (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ta.pe/
Did you know?
- The French expression taper sur les nerfs literally means 'to tap on the nerves', but it is used idiomatically to say someone is 'getting on your nerves'.
- The word taper shares its DNA with the English word 'dab', as both stem from ancient Germanic roots describing a light striking motion.
- While taper is common, the more formal noun for the act of typing is la dactylographie, derived from the Greek words for 'finger' and 'writing'.
Examples in context
- Elle est occupée à taper des rapports.She is busy typing up reports.This sentence shows how to use taper when someone is typing up reports.Tatoeba #5001816 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #5001507 by AlanF_US
- Je tape un messageI'm typing a message
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are working in an office.
- HugoEst-ce que tu finis le taper de ce texte ?Are you finishing the typing of this text?
- EmmaOui, je termine ça tout de suite.Yes, I'm finishing it right away.
- HugoMerci, j'en ai besoin pour demain.Thanks, I need it for tomorrow.
- EmmaNe t'inquiète pas, Hugo, c'est presque fini.Don't worry, Hugo, it's almost finished.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry taper, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries taper, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
