Significado
To have no clue about something.
Contexto cultural
In Hungarian journalism, this phrase is the 'gold standard' for reporting on unsolved crimes. It is considered professional yet descriptive. Teachers often use this to encourage students to ask questions. If a student looks confused, a teacher might say, 'Ne tapogatózz a sötétben, kérdezz!' In older rural contexts, this phrase was more literal. Before electricity reached every village, 'tapogatózás' was a daily evening reality. Using this in a meeting shows that you are honest about risks. It is better to admit you are 'sötétben tapogatózva' than to pretend you have data you don't.
Use for 'I don't know'
Instead of just saying 'Nem tudom,' use this idiom to sound more like a native speaker when you are genuinely confused.
Don't forget the -ik
Remember that 'tapogatózik' is an -ik verb. Using 'tapogatózok' is common but 'tapogatózom' is more 'correct' in formal exams.
Significado
To have no clue about something.
Use for 'I don't know'
Instead of just saying 'Nem tudom,' use this idiom to sound more like a native speaker when you are genuinely confused.
Don't forget the -ik
Remember that 'tapogatózik' is an -ik verb. Using 'tapogatózok' is common but 'tapogatózom' is more 'correct' in formal exams.
Combine with 'még'
Adding 'még' (still) makes it sound much more natural: 'Még sötétben tapogatózunk.'
Detective Novels
If you read Hungarian crime fiction, you will see this phrase in almost every chapter!
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tapogatózik'.
Én még mindig sötétben ___________, nem értem a feladatot.
The subject is 'Én' (I), so the verb must be in the first person singular '-ik' form.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Mikor használjuk a 'sötétben tapogatózik' kifejezést?
The idiom is used for intellectual or situational uncertainty.
Match the Hungarian phrase with its English equivalent.
Párosítsd a kifejezéseket!
These are the direct equivalents.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tudod már, miért romlott el a kocsi? B: Nem, még csak ____________.
The context of not knowing why the car broke down requires the idiom.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Literal vs Figurative
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosÉn még mindig sötétben ___________, nem értem a feladatot.
The subject is 'Én' (I), so the verb must be in the first person singular '-ik' form.
Mikor használjuk a 'sötétben tapogatózik' kifejezést?
The idiom is used for intellectual or situational uncertainty.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are the direct equivalents.
A: Tudod már, miért romlott el a kocsi? B: Nem, még csak ____________.
The context of not knowing why the car broke down requires the idiom.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, it is perfectly fine to use it literally, like when you are looking for the bathroom at night.
Not at all. It's a neutral, descriptive idiom used in all levels of society.
Outside of this idiom, it's less common, but you'll hear it when people talk about 'feeling out' a situation.
'Tapogat' is transitive (touching something), 'tapogatózik' is intransitive (the act of feeling around).
Yes: 'Sötétben tapogatóztam.'
Sometimes people just say 'Csak tapogatózom' if the context of uncertainty is clear.
No, it implies the *process* of trying to find an answer, not necessarily that you will fail.
Yes, you can say 'Ő sötétben tapogatózik' to mean he has no clue.
Very often, especially regarding market research or unknown technical bugs.
The opposite would be 'Tisztán lát' (to see clearly).
Frases relacionadas
Vaktában
similarBlindly / at random
Zavarosban halászik
contrastTo fish in muddy waters
Fényt derít valamire
contrastTo shed light on something
Köd előttem, köd utánam
similarFog before me, fog behind me
Tapogatózik
specialized formTo feel out / test the waters
