1. to hit something lightly and quickly
輕敲，輕拍
She tapped on the window to get his attention.
她輕敲窗戶以引起他的注意。
He tapped his fingers on the desk impatiently.
他不耐煩地用手指輕敲著桌面。
Tap Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
tap
verb
快速理解
What does "Tap" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Tap"?
「tap」作動詞時，主要指輕敲、輕拍或利用資源的動作。
- 1
輕敲/輕拍
EN: to hit something lightly
翻譯: 輕輕敲擊或拍打某物。
- 2
利用/開發
EN: to make use of a resource
翻譯: 利用或開發某種資源（如潛力、能源）。
- 3
竊聽
EN: to secretly listen to a conversation
翻譯: 秘密地竊聽電話或對話。
- 4
旋開/放出
EN: to draw liquid from a container
翻譯: 從容器（如桶、樹）中旋開龍頭或開口以取出液體。
小提醒：注意「tap into」是常用片語，意指「利用、開發（資源、潛力）」，而非字面上的「敲進」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Tap" in English）
How to pronounce "Tap" in English?"Tap" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Tap" from YouTube Videos
English Reading with Connected Speech 📖 Vocabulary and Native Pronunciation Practice
Unknown channel
“instead it's very soft, almost like a quick D, but not exactly the same. this sound is called a flap or a tap.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Tap"?How does "Tap" change by context?
2. to make use of a resource or supply
利用，開發（資源）
The company is tapping into new markets in Asia.
該公司正在開發亞洲的新市場。
We need to tap our savings to pay for the repairs.
我們需要動用我們的積蓄來支付維修費用。
3. to secretly listen to someone's telephone conversation
竊聽（電話）
The police suspected his phone was being tapped.
警方懷疑他的電話被竊聽了。
It is illegal to tap someone's phone without a warrant.
未經授權竊聽他人電話是違法的。
4. to choose someone for a task or position
選中，指派（某人擔任某職務或任務）
She was tapped to lead the new project.
她被選中來領導這個新專案。
Who will they tap for the manager position?
他們會選誰來擔任經理職位？
5. to draw liquid from a container, especially a barrel
從（尤指桶中）放出液體
They tapped the keg and began serving beer.
他們打開啤酒桶的龍頭，開始供應啤酒。
The process of tapping maple trees for syrup is called sugaring.
從楓樹取樹液製糖漿的過程稱為採糖。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Tap"?How to make natural sentences with "Tap"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| tap + noun | 輕敲、輕拍某物 | He tapped the table with his fingers. (他用手指輕敲桌子。) |
| tap + on/against + noun | 在…上輕敲 | She tapped on the window to get my attention. (她輕敲窗戶以引起我的注意。) |
| tap + noun + for + noun | 向…索取、尋求… | He tapped his friends for information. (他向朋友打聽消息。) |
| tap + into + noun | 利用、開發（資源等） | The company is tapping into new markets. (該公司正在開發新市場。) |
| tap + out + noun | 敲打出（節奏、訊息） | He tapped out a rhythm on the drums. (他在鼓上敲打出一個節奏。) |
| tap + phone/line | 竊聽（電話、線路） | The spy agency tapped his phone. (間諜機構竊聽了他的電話。) |
| get/be tapped + for/as + noun | 被選中擔任… | She was tapped as the new team leader. (她被選為新的團隊領導。) |
用法說明
How is "Tap" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Tap"?
tap into vs tap for
- tap into 強調「接入、利用」一個已存在的資源、網絡、情感或知識庫，像是打開一個源頭。
- tap for 強調「為了某個特定目的而從中獲取」，焦點在於目的或所獲取的東西。
- tap 單獨使用時，常指物理上的「輕敲」或「輕拍」，或用於「tap a phone」（竊聽電話）。
- 在商業或比喻用法中，tap into 比 tap for 更為常見，表示開發潛在市場或資源。 EN: The company hopes to tap into the growing Asian market. 翻譯: 這家公司希望打入不斷成長的亞洲市場。
EN:They decided to tap the old maple tree for sap.
翻譯:他們決定從那棵老楓樹取樹液。
總結建議
一般來說，表示「利用資源、潛力或市場」時，使用 tap into；表示「為特定目的而提取」時，則用 tap for。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Tap" and similar words?How to choose "Tap" vs alternatives?
tap vs press
「tap」是輕敲、輕觸，通常快速且力道較輕；「press」是按壓、壓下，通常持續施力且力道較重。
tap vs knock
「tap」是輕敲，通常聲音較小、力道輕；「knock」是敲擊、敲門，通常聲音較大、力道較重且有目的性。
tap vs pat
「tap」是輕敲物體表面；「pat」是輕拍，通常帶有安撫、鼓勵或使某物平整的意味。
口語用法
How is "Tap" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Tap"?
引述
在轉述他人話語或想法時，口語中常用「tap」來表示「詢問、探問」。 EN: I tried to tap him for some inside information about the project. 翻譯: 我試著向他打聽一些關於這個專案的內部消息。
EN:She tapped her friend to see if he knew anyone hiring.
翻譯:她向朋友打聽，看他知不知道有誰在招聘。
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，「tap」常帶有「巧妙取得、不經意地獲得」的語氣，強調動作的輕巧或策略性。 EN: He managed to tap a free drink from the bartender with that story. 翻譯: 他靠那個故事，成功從酒保那裡討到了一杯免費的飲料。
EN:Can you tap your dad for a few bucks? Mine's cut me off.
翻譯:你能從你老爸那兒弄到幾塊錢嗎？我的金源被斷了。
停頓填充
在思考或尋找合適字眼時，有時會用「tap into...」作為短暫停頓，引出想要利用的資源或想法。 EN: We need to... tap into the local community to get more support. 翻譯: 我們需要... 借助當地社區的力量來獲得更多支持。
EN:The solution is to, you know, tap into our collective experience.
翻譯:解決辦法就是，你知道的，利用我們集體的經驗。
正式書寫注意：在正式報告或學術寫作中，應避免使用「tap」這種過於口語化、隱喻性的動詞來表示「獲取資源或資訊」。建議改用更精確、正式的詞彙，如「utilize」、「access」、「solicit」、「obtain」或「inquire」。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Tap"?What fixed phrases with "Tap" should I remember?
tap into
tap into [something]
利用、開發（資源、潛力、情感等）
tap on
tap on [something]
輕敲、輕拍（某物表面）
tap out
tap out
1. （因疲累而）退出、放棄；2. 在鍵盤上敲打出（文字）
tap for
tap [someone/something] for [something]
向…索取、尋求（資訊、金錢、幫助等）
tap the potential
tap the potential (of)
發掘潛力
tap a phone
tap a phone
竊聽電話
tap resources
tap resources
動用資源
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Tap"?Which "Tap" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I tapped the door.
✓I knocked on the door.
「tap」通常指輕柔、反覆的敲擊，常用於物體表面（如桌子、螢幕）或液體（如水龍頭）。敲門通常使用「knock」，力道較重且目的是引人注意。
×She tapped me on the shoulder to say hello.
✓She tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.
「tap someone on the shoulder」的典型目的是引起對方注意（如提醒、示意），而非作為打招呼的主要方式。打招呼更常用「tap」加上揮手或說「hi」。原句語意不自然。
×Can you tap the phone?
✓Can you tap the phone screen? / Can you answer the phone?
「tap the phone」意思模糊，可能被誤解為「輕敲手機機身」。若指觸控螢幕，應具體說明「tap the phone screen」。若意指接電話，正確說法是「answer the phone」。
×He tapped the tree to get maple syrup.
✓He tapped the maple tree to get syrup.
「tap a tree」是固定搭配，特指在樹上開孔汲取汁液（如楓糖）。但必須指明樹的種類（如 maple tree），因為並非所有樹都能被「tap」。原句缺少關鍵資訊，語意不完整。
×I will tap my friend for some money.
✓I will ask my friend for some money. / I will hit up my friend for some money. (informal)
「tap someone for something」在口語中雖可表示「向某人索取某物（尤指金錢）」，但屬非正式且稍帶負面意味的用法。學習者常誤用於中性情境。一般請求應使用「ask someone for something」。
×She tapped her fingers happily.
✓She tapped her fingers impatiently / rhythmically.
「tap one's fingers」常暗示不耐煩（如等待時）或跟著節奏輕敲，較少單純描述「開心」的情緒。開心時更常見的動作為「drumming her fingers happily」或「clapping her hands」。原句搭配不自然。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Tap"?What are tense/participle forms of "Tap"?
taps(3rd_singular)tapping(present_participle)tapped(past)tapped(past_participle)