tappa in 30 Sekunden
- Tappa means to drop something.
- It implies an object falling, usually accidentally.
- Common in everyday situations.
- Past tense is 'tappade'.
The Swedish verb tappa is a very common and versatile word that translates directly to 'to drop' or 'to let fall' in English. It's used when an object unintentionally slips from your grasp or when you deliberately release something, causing it to fall. This can range from something as small as a coin to something as significant as a piece of equipment. The key element is the unintended or uncontrolled descent of an object. For instance, if you're carrying a bag of groceries and an apple falls out, you would say you tappade an apple. Similarly, if you accidentally knock a glass off a table, you tappade the glass. It can also be used metaphorically, though less commonly at the B1 level, to mean losing something intangible like one's balance or even one's temper, but the primary and most frequent meaning relates to physical objects. Understanding tappa is crucial for everyday Swedish conversations, as it describes a frequent occurrence in daily life. Whether you're in a kitchen, a workshop, or just walking down the street, the act of dropping something is something that happens to everyone, and tappa is the word Swedes use to describe it. It's a fundamental verb for describing accidents and minor mishaps, making it an essential part of a learner's vocabulary. The context usually makes it clear whether the falling was accidental or a result of carelessness. It's a word you'll hear and use frequently when discussing everyday events.
- Core Meaning
- To lose hold of something, causing it to fall.
- Common Scenarios
- Dropping keys, dropping a phone, dropping food, dropping a tool.
- Nuance
- Often implies an accident or lack of control, but can also be used for deliberate dropping.
Jag råkade tappa min mobil i golvet.
Var försiktig så du inte tappar ägget.
Using tappa in Swedish sentences is straightforward, as it typically follows standard verb conjugation rules. The infinitive form is tappa. In the present tense, it becomes tappar. For the past tense (preterite), it's tappade. The supine form, used with 'har' (have) for the perfect tense, is tappat. The imperative form is also tappa. When constructing sentences, you'll often pair tappa with a direct object – the thing that is being dropped. For example, 'Jag tappade min telefon' (I dropped my phone). You can also use it with prepositions to indicate where something was dropped or where it fell, such as 'i golvet' (on the floor) or 'på marken' (on the ground). Consider the structure: Subject + tappa (conjugated) + Object + (optional: location/circumstance). For example, 'Barnet tappade bollen i vattnet' (The child dropped the ball in the water). When describing a repeated or habitual action in the past, you might use the simple past tense: 'Hon tappade alltid pennan när hon skrev' (She always dropped the pen when she wrote). In the perfect tense, you'll hear phrases like 'Jag har tappat bort nycklarna' (I have lost the keys), where 'bort' adds the nuance of losing something completely. However, for the core meaning of simply letting something fall, 'Jag har tappat nycklarna' (I have dropped the keys) is also correct. The imperative form is used for commands: 'Tappa inte brevbäraren!' (Don't drop the mail carrier! - a humorous example for emphasis, showing the structure). The word can also be used reflexively with 'sig', like 'Han tappade sig' (He lost his composure/control), but this is a more advanced usage. For B1 learners, focusing on the direct object construction is key. For instance, 'Han tappade sin hatt i vinden' (He dropped his hat in the wind) or 'Vi tappade en hel låda med frukt' (We dropped a whole box of fruit). The context will always clarify the intended meaning, but the grammatical structure remains consistent for the basic sense of dropping. Remember to adjust the verb ending based on the tense and subject.
- Present Tense
- Jag tappar, du tappar, han/hon/den/det tappar, vi tappar, ni tappar, de tappar.
- Past Tense (Preterite)
- Jag tappade, du tappade, han/hon/den/det tappade, vi tappade, ni tappade, de tappade.
- Perfect Tense
- Jag har tappat, du har tappat, etc.
- Sentence Structure Example
- Subject + tappa (conjugated) + Object + (optional: adverbial phrase)
Hon tappar alltid bort sina nycklar.
Vi tappade den tunga lådan på vägen.
You will hear the word tappa frequently in everyday Swedish conversations, often in informal settings. Imagine a parent scolding a child: 'Akta så du inte tappar din glass!' (Be careful not to drop your ice cream!). Or a friend recounting a minor mishap: 'Jag tappade nycklarna i en gatubrunn igår.' (I dropped the keys down a storm drain yesterday.). In shops, a salesperson might warn you: 'Var försiktig med den där vasen, den är lätt att tappa.' (Be careful with that vase, it's easy to drop.). In a workplace, especially in manual labor or kitchens, dropping tools, equipment, or ingredients is common: 'Han tappade hammaren från stegen.' (He dropped the hammer from the ladder.). Even in more formal contexts, like a news report about an accident, you might hear 'Ett föremål tappades från en byggarbetsplats.' (An object was dropped from a construction site.). It's also common in spoken language when discussing lost items, often with the particle 'bort' (away), as in 'Jag har tappat bort min plånbok' (I have lost my wallet), which implies it was dropped somewhere and can't be found. The phrase 'tappa greppet' (to lose grip) is also common, both literally (e.g., 'Han tappade greppet om repstegen' - He lost his grip on the rope ladder) and figuratively (e.g., 'Företaget tappade greppet om marknaden' - The company lost its grip on the market). You'll hear it in movies, TV shows, radio, and podcasts, especially in scenes depicting everyday life, accidents, or moments of clumsiness. It's a word that's so ingrained in the language that people use it without much thought. For instance, if someone asks 'Vad hände?' (What happened?), and you accidentally dropped something, a simple 'Jag tappade den' (I dropped it) is a perfectly natural response. The ubiquity of this word makes it essential for understanding natural, unscripted Swedish.
- Everyday Conversations
- Used when discussing minor accidents, dropping personal items, or food.
- Workplace Scenarios
- Common in construction, kitchens, or any job involving handling objects.
- Media
- Heard in dramas, comedies, news reports, and informal vlogs.
- Idiomatic Use
- As part of phrases like 'tappa greppet' (lose grip).
Barnet tappade sin leksak i brunnen.
Han tappade kontrollen över bilen.
One common mistake for English speakers learning Swedish is confusing tappa with words that imply a more deliberate action or a different kind of loss. For example, mistaking tappa for 'släppa' (to release, to let go) when the object is not necessarily falling, or 'kasta' (to throw), which is a deliberate act of propulsion. While 'släppa' can sometimes lead to dropping something, tappa specifically implies the fall. Another pitfall is overusing tappa in contexts where 'förlora' (to lose, especially something abstract like a game, a competition, or a loved one) is more appropriate. You wouldn't say 'Jag tappade matchen' (I dropped the match); you would say 'Jag förlorade matchen' (I lost the match). Similarly, for losing something valuable like money or a passport, 'Jag har förlorat min plånbok' (I have lost my wallet) is more common than 'Jag har tappat min plånbok' (I have dropped my wallet), although the latter is not entirely incorrect if you mean you dropped it and it's now lost. Learners might also struggle with the perfect tense: saying 'Jag har tappa' instead of the correct 'Jag har tappat'. Remember that the supine form needs the '-t' ending. Another subtle error is not differentiating between 'tappa' and 'tappa bort'. While 'tappa' is just 'to drop', 'tappa bort' implies 'to drop and lose', meaning it's gone missing. So, if you drop your keys and find them immediately, you say 'Jag tappade nycklarna'. If you drop them and can't find them, you say 'Jag har tappat bort nycklarna'. Finally, using tappa for abstract concepts like 'losing one's mind' or 'losing patience' is possible but less common at the B1 level and often uses different phrasing, like 'bli galen' (go crazy) or 'bli arg' (get angry). Sticking to the concrete meaning of dropping physical objects will serve you best initially.
- Confusing with 'Släppa'
- 'Släppa' means to release or let go, not necessarily implying a fall. Tappa specifically means to drop.
- Confusing with 'Förlora'
- 'Förlora' is used for losing competitions, abstract concepts, or valuable items. Tappa is for physical dropping.
- Grammar: Supine Form
- Incorrect: 'har tappa'. Correct: 'har tappat'.
- 'Tappa' vs. 'Tappa bort'
- 'Tappa' is to drop; 'Tappa bort' is to drop and consequently lose/misplace.
Fel: Jag har tappa boken. Rätt: Jag har tappat boken.
Fel: Jag tappade matchen. Rätt: Jag förlorade matchen.
While tappa is the primary verb for 'to drop', Swedish has other words that might seem similar but carry different nuances. Understanding these distinctions will refine your vocabulary. The most common alternative is släppa. While both can involve letting go of something, släppa is more about the act of releasing or letting go, without necessarily implying that the object will fall. For example, you might släppa a balloon into the air, but you would tappa a glass if it slipped from your hand. If you deliberately open your hand to let something fall, you are släppa it, but the subsequent fall is described by tappa. Another related verb is falla, which means 'to fall'. You can say 'Glaset föll till golvet' (The glass fell to the floor). Tappa describes the action of causing it to fall, while falla describes the event of falling itself. So, 'Jag tappade glaset, och det föll' (I dropped the glass, and it fell) is a complete description. For losing something entirely, especially something valuable or important, förlora is the word. You förlorar a game, money, or a competition. 'Jag förlorade min bussbiljett' (I lost my bus ticket) is more common than 'Jag tappade min bussbiljett', though the latter is possible if you mean you dropped it somewhere and it's now lost. The phrase tappa bort is a phrasal verb that specifically means 'to misplace' or 'to lose something that was dropped'. If you dropped your keys and can't find them, you say 'Jag har tappat bort mina nycklar'. If you just dropped them and picked them up immediately, you'd say 'Jag tappade mina nycklar'. In very informal or slang contexts, especially when talking about losing control or composure, you might hear variations or related expressions, but for the core meaning of dropping a physical object, tappa is the go-to verb. When describing a deliberate action of putting something down, you would use verbs like 'ställa' (to place, for upright objects), 'lägga' (to lay, for flat objects), or 'sätta' (to put, to set). These verbs imply control and intention, unlike tappa.
- Tappa vs. Släppa
- Tappa: to drop (implies falling). Släppa: to release, let go (doesn't necessarily imply falling).
- Tappa vs. Falla
- Tappa: the action of causing something to fall. Falla: the event of something falling.
- Tappa vs. Förlora
- Tappa: to drop (physical). Förlora: to lose (competitions, abstract things, or valuable items).
- Tappa vs. Tappa bort
- Tappa: to drop. Tappa bort: to drop and misplace/lose.
- Deliberate Actions
- Verbs like 'ställa', 'lägga', 'sätta' imply intentional placement, not accidental dropping.
Jag släppte fågeln, och den flög iväg.
Bollen föll från bordet och gick sönder.
How Formal Is It?
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Wusstest du?
The root '*tap-' is believed to be onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of tapping or striking. This connection might seem distant from 'dropping', but the idea of 'striking' something could lead to it losing its hold or falling. The word 'tap' in English, referring to a faucet, shares this root, likely from the action of tapping it to release liquid.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the 'a' sound too short or like the 'a' in 'cat'.
- Incorrect stress, placing it on the second syllable.
- Not clearly articulating both syllables.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
At B1 level, 'tappa' is encountered frequently in reading materials describing everyday events. Its literal meaning is usually clear from context. Figurative uses might require more attention.
Learners at B1 should be able to use 'tappa' correctly in its basic sense in writing. Distinguishing 'tappa' from 'förlora' and using 'tappa bort' correctly are key skills.
Speaking with 'tappa' is generally straightforward for B1 learners when describing simple accidents. Figurative uses might be less spontaneous.
Recognizing 'tappa' in spoken Swedish is usually easy due to its commonality and clear pronunciation, especially in its literal sense.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Verb Conjugation (Present and Past Tense)
Present: Jag tappar. Past: Jag tappade.
Perfect Tense with 'ha'
Jag har tappat boken. (I have dropped the book.)
Imperative Mood
Tappa inte! (Don't drop!)
Phrasal Verbs (e.g., 'tappa bort')
Hon tappar bort sina nycklar. (She misplaces her keys.)
Figurative Language with 'tappa'
Han tappade modet. (He lost courage.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
Jag tappar min boll.
I drop my ball.
Simple present tense.
Äpple faller.
Apple falls.
Focus on the falling action, related to 'tappa'.
Tappa inte!
Don't drop!
Imperative form (negative).
Boken tappade.
The book dropped.
Simple past tense, basic structure.
Jag tappade nyckeln.
I dropped the key.
Simple past tense with a direct object.
Glaset tappade.
The glass dropped.
Simple past tense.
Tappa koppen.
Drop the cup.
Imperative form.
Hon tappar en penna.
She drops a pen.
Present tense.
Jag tappade min mobil på golvet.
I dropped my mobile on the floor.
Past tense with location.
Var försiktig så du inte tappar kakan.
Be careful not to drop the cake.
Using 'så att inte' for a warning.
Barnet tappade sin napp.
The child dropped their pacifier.
Past tense, common object.
Han tappade sin hatt i vinden.
He dropped his hat in the wind.
Past tense with circumstance.
Vi tappade en påse med äpplen.
We dropped a bag of apples.
Past tense, plural object.
Hon tappade bort nycklarna igår.
She lost her keys yesterday.
'Tappa bort' - to misplace/lose.
Tappa inte koppen när du går.
Don't drop the cup when you walk.
Imperative negative with a time clause.
Jag har tappat min penna.
I have dropped my pen.
Present perfect tense.
Jag råkade tappa min mobil i golvet när jag skulle ta upp den.
I accidentally dropped my mobile on the floor when I was about to pick it up.
Past tense, with a subordinate clause indicating circumstance.
Var försiktig så du inte tappar bort biljetterna.
Be careful not to misplace the tickets.
'Tappa bort' - to misplace/lose.
Han tappade greppet om repstegen och föll ner.
He lost his grip on the rope ladder and fell down.
Figurative use of 'tappa greppet' (lose grip).
Vi tappade en hel låda med glasflaskor under flytten.
We dropped a whole box of glass bottles during the move.
Past tense, specifying the object and context.
Hon tappade modet när hon hörde de dåliga nyheterna.
She lost courage when she heard the bad news.
Figurative use: 'tappa modet' (lose courage).
Om du tappar bort dina nycklar, måste du kontakta fastighetsskötaren.
If you misplace your keys, you must contact the property manager.
Conditional sentence using 'tappa bort'.
Jag har tappat min favoritbok någonstans.
I have lost my favorite book somewhere.
Present perfect tense, implying misplacement.
Barnet tappade sitt koppel och hunden sprang iväg.
The child dropped their leash and the dog ran away.
Past tense, cause and effect.
Efter att ha tappat greppet om ratten, lyckades föraren precis återfå kontrollen.
After losing grip of the steering wheel, the driver just managed to regain control.
Gerundive form ('att ha tappat') and figurative 'tappa greppet'.
Företaget riskerar att tappa marknadsandelar om de inte innoverar.
The company risks losing market share if they do not innovate.
Figurative use: 'tappa marknadsandelar' (lose market share).
Hon tappade hakan när hon såg priset på klänningen.
She was stunned (dropped her jaw) when she saw the price of the dress.
Idiomatic expression: 'tappa hakan' (drop one's jaw).
Under stormen tappade vi strömmen i flera timmar.
During the storm, we lost power for several hours.
Figurative use: 'tappa strömmen' (lose power).
Han kände hur han tappade tålamodet med deras ständiga ursäkter.
He felt himself losing patience with their constant excuses.
Figurative use: 'tappa tålamodet' (lose patience).
Om du tappar bort din biljett, måste du köpa en ny.
If you misplace your ticket, you must buy a new one.
Conditional sentence with 'tappa bort'.
Experterna varnar för att vi kan tappa den ekonomiska tillväxten nästa år.
Experts warn that we could lose economic growth next year.
Figurative use: 'tappa ekonomisk tillväxt' (lose economic growth).
Efter den långa vandringen tappade han nästan medvetandet av trötthet.
After the long hike, he almost lost consciousness from exhaustion.
Figurative use: 'tappa medvetandet' (lose consciousness).
Hans överdrivna självförtroende gjorde att han tappade kontakten med verkligheten.
His excessive self-confidence caused him to lose touch with reality.
Figurative use: 'tappa kontakten med verkligheten' (lose touch with reality).
Utan en tydlig strategi riskerar partiet att tappa sitt väljarstöd.
Without a clear strategy, the party risks losing its voter support.
Figurative use: 'tappa väljarstöd' (lose voter support).
Hon kunde inte förstå hur hon hade lyckats tappa bort så mycket tid på trivialiteter.
She couldn't understand how she had managed to lose so much time on trivialities.
Using 'tappa bort' for abstract concepts like time.
Den gamla damen tappade fattningen när hon insåg att hennes väska var borta.
The old lady lost her composure when she realized her bag was gone.
Figurative use: 'tappa fattningen' (lose composure).
Trots sina ansträngningar kunde han inte hindra att projektet tappade fart.
Despite his efforts, he could not prevent the project from losing momentum.
Figurative use: 'tappa fart' (lose momentum/speed).
Efter en serie misslyckanden kände hon hur hon tappade hoppet om en bättre framtid.
After a series of failures, she felt herself losing hope for a better future.
Figurative use: 'tappa hoppet' (lose hope).
Regeringen kritiserades för att ha tappat kontrollen över inflationen.
The government was criticized for having lost control of inflation.
Figurative use: 'tappa kontrollen över' (lose control over).
Han tappade ansiktet inför sina kollegor efter sitt offentliga misstag.
He lost face in front of his colleagues after his public mistake.
Figurative use: 'tappa ansiktet' (lose face).
Denna olyckliga händelse fick honom att tappa all tilltro till systemet.
This unfortunate event caused him to lose all faith in the system.
Sophisticated figurative use: 'tappa all tilltro' (lose all faith).
Med sin nya position kunde hon inte längre tappa sig själv i vardagens trivialiteter.
With her new position, she could no longer allow herself to drop into the trivialities of everyday life.
Reflexive and nuanced use, implying a deliberate avoidance of falling into something.
Historiker diskuterar om det var en medveten strategi eller om ledaren helt enkelt tappade tråden.
Historians debate whether it was a conscious strategy or if the leader simply lost the thread.
Figurative use: 'tappa tråden' (lose the thread/train of thought).
Den ekonomiska krisen hotade att få hela samhällsbygget att tappa stabilitet.
The economic crisis threatened to cause the entire societal structure to lose stability.
Highly figurative use: 'tappa stabilitet' (lose stability).
Han hade en förmåga att alltid tappa bort sig själv i sina egna tankegångar.
He had a tendency to always lose himself in his own train of thought.
Refined use of 'tappa bort sig själv' (lose oneself).
Trots sina försök att behålla lugnet, kände hon hur hon tappade det.
Despite her attempts to remain calm, she felt herself losing it.
Colloquial and nuanced figurative use: 'tappa det' (lose it, lose control).
Den konstnärliga visionen riskerar att tappa sin originalitet om den anpassas för mycket till marknaden.
The artistic vision risks losing its originality if it is adapted too much to the market.
Figurative use: 'tappa sin originalitet' (lose its originality).
Efter år av forskning tappade teamet plötsligt fotfästet när en ny teori presenterades.
After years of research, the team suddenly lost their footing when a new theory was presented.
Figurative use: 'tappa fotfästet' (lose footing/ground).
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— To get lost, to lose one's way, or to lose oneself in thought.
Jag tappade bort mig i den stora staden och fick fråga om vägen. (I got lost in the big city and had to ask for directions.)
— To lose one's train of thought while speaking or explaining something.
Ursäkta, jag tappade tråden lite. Var var vi? (Excuse me, I lost my train of thought a bit. Where were we?)
— To lose one's footing or stability, literally or figuratively.
Han tappade fotfästet på den isiga trottoaren. (He lost his footing on the icy sidewalk.)
— To be out of breath, to lose one's breath (e.g., from exertion or surprise).
Efter att ha sprungit uppför backen tappade jag luften helt. (After running up the hill, I completely lost my breath.)
— To lose one's head, to become flustered or panicked.
I nödsituationen tappade han huvudet och gjorde ingenting. (In the emergency, he lost his head and did nothing.)
— To lose one's energy or strength.
Efter en lång dag på jobbet tappade jag orken helt. (After a long day at work, I completely lost my energy.)
— An informal phrase meaning to lose control, to get angry or upset.
Han tappade det helt när han fick höra beskedet. (He completely lost it when he heard the news.)
— To lose one's composure or self-control.
Trots provokationerna försökte hon att inte tappa sig. (Despite the provocations, she tried not to lose her composure.)
— To miss an opportunity.
Han var sen till mötet och tappade en chans att presentera sin idé. (He was late for the meeting and missed a chance to present his idea.)
— To lose ground, to fall behind (in a race, competition, or progress).
Laget tappade mark i andra halvlek och förlorade matchen. (The team lost ground in the second half and lost the match.)
Wird oft verwechselt mit
'Släppa' means to release or let go, which might result in dropping, but the focus is on the act of releasing. 'Tappa' specifically implies the object falling.
'Förlora' means to lose in a broader sense (games, money, etc.) and is not typically used for physically dropping an item unless it leads to it being lost.
'Falla' means 'to fall' and describes the event of falling, whereas 'tappa' describes the action of causing something to fall.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To be extremely surprised or shocked; to drop one's jaw.
När hon fick veta att hon vunnit miljoner, tappade hon hakan.
Informal— To lose one's grip, literally or figuratively. Figuratively, it means to lose control, composure, or understanding.
Han tappade greppet om situationen och allt gick fel.
Neutral/Figurative— To lose one's train of thought while speaking.
Jag tappade tråden helt mitt i förklaringen.
Neutral— To lose courage or hope.
Efter flera motgångar började hon tappa modet.
Neutral/Figurative— To lose one's composure or self-control.
Han tappade fattningen och skrek åt alla.
Neutral/Figurative— To lose face, to be humiliated or embarrassed.
Han ville inte tappa ansiktet inför sina kollegor.
Formal/Figurative— To lose one's head, to panic or act irrationally.
I paniken tappade hon huvudet och sprang åt fel håll.
Neutral/Figurative— To lose one's patience.
Jag börjar tappa tålamodet med dina ursäkter.
Neutral/Figurative— To lose one's footing or stability, literally or figuratively.
Företaget tappade fotfästet under finanskrisen.
Neutral/FigurativeLeicht verwechselbar
Both involve letting go of something.
'Släppa' is the act of releasing your hold. You can 'släppa' a balloon into the air. 'Tappa' is specifically when the object falls, usually unintentionally. You 'tappa' a glass if it slips from your hand.
Jag <strong>släppte</strong> ballongen, och den flög iväg. (I released the balloon, and it flew away.) Jag <strong>tappade</strong> flaskan, och den gick sönder. (I dropped the bottle, and it broke.)
Both can relate to 'losing' something.
'Tappa' refers to the physical act of dropping an object. 'Förlora' refers to losing something in a more general sense, like losing a game, losing money, or losing a competition. You don't 'tappa' a match; you 'förlora' it.
Han <strong>förlorade</strong> sitt jobb. (He lost his job.) Han <strong>tappade</strong> sin penna. (He dropped his pen.)
Both relate to objects moving downwards.
'Tappa' is the action of causing something to fall. 'Falla' is the event of something falling. You 'tappa' a book, and then the book 'faller' to the floor. 'Tappa' is active (you do it), 'falla' is often intransitive (it happens).
Jag <strong>tappade</strong> boken, och den <strong>föll</strong> från hyllan. (I dropped the book, and it fell from the shelf.)
It's a related phrasal verb.
'Tappa' simply means to drop something. 'Tappa bort' means to drop something and consequently misplace or lose it, so it cannot be found. If you drop your keys and pick them up, you 'tappade' them. If you drop them and they are gone, you have 'tappat bort' them.
Han <strong>tappade</strong> sin hatt i vinden. (He dropped his hat in the wind.) Han har <strong>tappat bort</strong> sin hatt. (He has lost his hat.)
Both involve liquids or granular substances and can be accidents.
'Spilla' specifically means to spill, usually liquids or small particles, often from a container. 'Tappa' is more general for any object falling. You would 'spilla' milk, but you would 'tappa' a glass.
Jag <strong>spillde</strong> kaffe på bordet. (I spilled coffee on the table.) Jag <strong>tappade</strong> koppen, och kaffet spilldes. (I dropped the cup, and the coffee spilled.)
Satzmuster
Subject + tappa (present) + Object.
Jag tappar bollen.
Subject + tappa (past) + Object.
Hon tappade koppen.
Subject + tappa (past) + Object + Location.
Han tappade nycklarna på gatan.
Imperative (negative) + Object.
Tappa inte din glass!
Subject + har + tappat + Object.
Vi har tappat bort paketet.
Subject + tappa (past) + figurative noun.
Hon tappade modet.
Conditional clause with 'Om' + Subject + tappa bort + Object, + main clause.
Om du tappar bort biljetten, måste du köpa en ny.
Subject + tappa + figurative phrase.
Företaget tappade kontrollen.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Very high
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Using 'tappa' for deliberate release.
→
Using 'släppa' for deliberate release.
'Tappa' implies an unintentional fall. If you purposefully let go of something, you 'släpper' it. For example, you 'släpper' a balloon, but you 'tappar' a glass if it slips from your hand.
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Confusing 'tappa' with 'förlora'.
→
'Tappa' for physical dropping, 'förlora' for losing competitions, abstract things, or valuable items.
You 'tappa' a pen, but you 'förlora' a game. While dropping something can lead to losing it ('tappa bort'), 'tappa' itself is the act of dropping, not the overall loss.
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Incorrect supine form: 'har tappa'.
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'har tappat'.
The perfect tense requires the supine form of the verb. For 'tappa', the supine is 'tappat', so the correct construction is 'Jag har tappat boken'.
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Using 'tappa' for falling over.
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Using 'ramla' for falling over.
'Tappa' is for dropping objects. If a person falls down, they 'ramlar'. For example, 'Barnet ramlade på isen.' (The child fell on the ice.)
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Not differentiating 'tappa' and 'tappa bort'.
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'Tappa' means to drop. 'Tappa bort' means to drop and consequently misplace or lose.
If you drop your keys and find them right away, you 'tappade' them. If you drop them and can't find them, you have 'tappat bort' them.
Tipps
Focus on the 'a' sound
The 'a' in 'tappa' is an open sound, like the 'a' in 'father'. Make sure to give it enough length and openness, and stress the first syllable ('TAP-pa'). Avoid a short 'a' sound like in 'cat'.
Remember the Supine Form
When using the perfect tense with 'har', remember the supine form of 'tappa' is 'tappat'. So, it's 'Jag har tappat', not 'Jag har tappa'.
Use 'Tappa Bort'
Practice using the common phrasal verb 'tappa bort' (to misplace/lose). Think of situations where you might have lost something and try to form sentences like 'Jag har tappat bort min penna'.
Explore Figurative Meanings
Once you're comfortable with the literal meaning, explore figurative uses like 'tappa modet' or 'tappa greppet'. These add depth to your understanding and expression.
Listen for 'Tappa' in Media
Actively listen for the word 'tappa' in Swedish podcasts, movies, or TV shows. Try to identify what is being dropped or what figurative meaning is being conveyed.
Describe Mishaps
Write a short paragraph about a funny or frustrating accident where you dropped something. Use 'tappa' correctly in different tenses and sentence structures.
Role-play Scenarios
Imagine scenarios like dropping groceries or keys and practice describing them aloud using 'tappa'. For example, 'Oops, jag tappade äpplet!'
Compare with Similar Verbs
Create a chart comparing 'tappa' with 'släppa', 'falla', and 'förlora', noting their specific meanings and when to use each one.
Visual Association
Create a mental image of something slipping from your hand and falling. Associate the sound 'tap-pa' with this action to help you remember the word.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine you are holding a very slippery banana and you tappa it. The sound 'tap-pa' sounds a bit like the 'plop' sound the banana makes when it hits the floor. You tappa the slippery banana!
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a hand with a ball slipping out of its grasp and falling downwards.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to use 'tappa' in five sentences describing things you might drop in your daily life.
Wortherkunft
The Swedish word 'tappa' originates from Old Norse 'tappa', which meant 'to lose' or 'to drop'. This word is related to the Proto-Germanic root '*tap-' meaning 'to touch' or 'to strike', which also gave rise to words like 'tap' in English.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To lose, to drop.
Proto-Germanic -> Old Norse -> SwedishKultureller Kontext
The word 'tappa' itself is generally neutral. However, depending on the context and what is dropped (e.g., something valuable, fragile, or dangerous), the situation can be sensitive. The figurative uses like 'tappa modet' or 'tappa kontrollen' can relate to sensitive emotional states.
In English-speaking cultures, 'to drop' is the direct equivalent and used in precisely the same contexts, from literal dropping to figurative losses.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Kitchen accidents
- Jag tappade ägget.
- Var försiktig så du inte tappar glaset.
- Akta så du inte tappar mjölken.
Dropping personal items
- Jag tappade mina nycklar.
- Hon tappade sin mobil.
- Han tappade sin plånbok.
Workplace mishaps
- Han tappade verktyget.
- Vi tappade en låda med varor.
- Försök att inte tappa något.
Children's activities
- Barnet tappade sin napp.
- Tappa inte bollen!
- Hon tappade sin leksak.
Figurative loss
- Han tappade modet.
- Jag tappade tålamodet.
- De tappade kontrollen.
Gesprächseinstiege
"Har du någonsin tappat något viktigt?"
"Vad är det konstigaste du har tappat?"
"Berätta om en gång du tappade bort något."
"Hur reagerar du oftast när du tappar något?"
"Finns det något du är extra rädd för att tappa?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe a time you accidentally dropped something valuable. What happened next?
Write about a situation where you lost your patience ('tappade tålamodet'). How did you handle it?
Imagine you dropped your phone into water. What would be your immediate steps?
Reflect on a time you felt you 'lost your grip' ('tappade greppet') on a situation. How did you regain control?
Describe a dream where you were constantly dropping things.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenWhile 'tappa' most commonly refers to accidental dropping, it can also be used for deliberate dropping, especially if the context implies a lack of care or a specific action. However, for purely intentional actions like throwing, other verbs are used. The nuance often comes from the surrounding words and context.
'Tappa' means to drop something. 'Tappa bort' is a phrasal verb that means to drop something and consequently lose or misplace it so it cannot be found. For example, if you drop your keys and immediately pick them up, you 'tappade' them. If you drop them and they roll away and you can't find them, you have 'tappat bort' them.
Yes, 'tappa' has figurative uses. For example, 'tappa modet' (to lose courage), 'tappa tålamodet' (to lose patience), or 'tappa kontrollen' (to lose control). However, for abstract losses like losing a game or money, 'förlora' is more common. At the B1 level, focus on the literal meaning first.
The infinitive is 'tappa'. Present tense: 'tappar' (e.g., Jag tappar). Past tense (preterite): 'tappade' (e.g., Jag tappade). Perfect tense (supine): 'tappat' (e.g., Jag har tappat).
The past tense (preterite) of 'tappa' is 'tappade'. For example, 'Jag tappade min telefon igår.' (I dropped my phone yesterday.)
Yes, 'tappa' is a very common and frequently used verb in Swedish, essential for describing everyday occurrences.
While 'tappa' can be part of phrases meaning to lose something (like 'tappa bort' meaning to misplace), the general verb for 'to lose' in contexts like losing a game, losing a competition, or losing money is 'förlora'.
'Släppa' means to release or let go. You might 'släppa' a balloon into the air. 'Tappa' specifically refers to letting something fall, usually unintentionally. If you 'släpper' a glass, it might then 'tappa' and fall.
'Tappar' is the present tense, used for actions happening now or habitually (e.g., 'Jag tappar ofta nycklarna' - I often drop the keys). 'Tappade' is the past tense (preterite), used for a specific completed action in the past (e.g., 'Igår tappade jag min telefon' - Yesterday I dropped my phone).
Yes, 'tappa' is part of several idioms, such as 'tappa hakan' (to be shocked), 'tappa greppet' (to lose control), 'tappa modet' (to lose courage), and 'tappa tråden' (to lose one's train of thought).
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Summary
The verb 'tappa' is fundamental for describing the common action of letting a physical object fall, typically due to an accident or loss of grip. Remember its past tense form 'tappade'.
- Tappa means to drop something.
- It implies an object falling, usually accidentally.
- Common in everyday situations.
- Past tense is 'tappade'.
Focus on the 'a' sound
The 'a' in 'tappa' is an open sound, like the 'a' in 'father'. Make sure to give it enough length and openness, and stress the first syllable ('TAP-pa'). Avoid a short 'a' sound like in 'cat'.
Remember the Supine Form
When using the perfect tense with 'har', remember the supine form of 'tappa' is 'tappat'. So, it's 'Jag har tappat', not 'Jag har tappa'.
Context is Key
Pay attention to the context to distinguish between 'tappa' (to drop), 'släppa' (to release), and 'förlora' (to lose). If something falls unintentionally, 'tappa' is usually the word.
Use 'Tappa Bort'
Practice using the common phrasal verb 'tappa bort' (to misplace/lose). Think of situations where you might have lost something and try to form sentences like 'Jag har tappat bort min penna'.
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aktiv
B2Aktiv sein oder an körperlichen Aktivitäten teilnehmen. 'Er ist ein sehr aktiver Mensch.'
aktuell
B2Aktuell, gegenwärtig. 'Das ist ein aktuelles Thema' (Det är ett aktuellt ämne). 'Es ist nicht aktuell' (Det är inte aktuellt).
allmän
B1Bezieht sich auf alle oder alles; allgemein oder öffentlich.
anbefalla
C1to recommend, advise, or suggest
anbringa
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andra
A1Zweite (Ordinalzahl) oder andere (Plural).
anfalla
C1to attack or assault
anfäkta
C1to trouble, plague, or beset
angripa
B2Angreifen, sich einem Problem oder einer Aufgabe entschlossen zuwenden. Kann auch eine physische Attacke bedeuten. Beispiel: Wir müssen dieses Problem frontal angreifen. (We must tackle this problem head-on.)
angå
C1Betreffen, angehen, sich beziehen auf.
