tappen
Translation
to grope, to fumble, to toddle, to walk clumsily
Examples
Sie tappte im Dunkeln durch den Raum.
She groped her way through the room in the dark.
Das Kleinkind tappt durch die Wohnung.
The toddler toddles through the apartment.
Wir tappen bei den Ermittlungen im Dunkeln.
We are groping in the dark in the investigation.
Grammar Patterns
((durch+4)) to grope through ((sth.)) She tapped through the dark forest.
((in+4)) to fall/walk into ((sth.)) He fell into a trap.
((im Dunkeln)) tappen to be in the dark ((lit. & fig.)) We are still in the dark.
Similar Words
tasten (to feel one's way), stolpern (to stumble)
Etymology
Onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of soft, uncertain steps ('tap, tap').
Memory Tips
Imagine the 'tap, tap' sound of someone walking uncertainly in the dark.