taper

Senses

1. 1.

   to hit, to strike, to slap

   to strike someone or something with force

2. 2.

   to bang on, to tap

   to strike something repeatedly or quickly, often to make noise

3. 3.

   to type (on a keyboard)

   to press keys to enter text on a computer

Examples

• "Il a tapé à la porte."

  He knocked on the door.

• "Elle tape sur son clavier toute la journée."

  She types on her keyboard all day long.

• "L'enfant a tapé son ami par accident."

  The child hit his friend by accident.

Usage

Common, everyday verb with multiple meanings depending on context. "Taper à la porte" = knock on the door; "taper quelqu'un" = hit/strike someone; "taper sur un clavier" = type. In informal speech, "taper sur les nerfs de quelqu'un" means to get on someone's nerves.