01
tippen
to type
To enter text with your fingers on a keyboard of a computer, typewriter, or smartphone.
example
Sie kann sehr schnell mit zehn Fingern tippen.
She can type very quickly with all ten fingers.
tippen
to type / guess / tap
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue: writing
When it comes to computers, smartphones, or keyboards, 'tippen' always means to enter text. Typical objects are 'eine Nachricht' (a message), 'eine E-Mail' (an email), or 'einen Brief' (a letter).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss meinem Chef schnell eine Antwort tippen.
I need to quickly type a reply to my boss.
Sentence structure: guessing
To express a guess, 'tippen' is used either with a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or with the preposition 'auf' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich tippe, dass die Gäste bald kommen.
I guess that the guests will come soon.
Sentence structure: touching
When 'tippen' means a light touch, it is often used with the preposition 'auf' and an accusative object that indicates the place being touched. The person being touched is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer tippte dem Schüler auf die Schulter.
The teacher tapped the student on the shoulder.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'to suspect who or what is responsible', 'tippen' is always used with the fixed preposition 'auf' followed by an accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Die Ermittler tippen auf einen technischen Defekt als Unfallursache.
The investigators suspect a technical defect as the cause of the accident.
Compare with
tippen vs schreiben
to write
'schreiben' and 'tippen' can both have to do with text. 'schreiben' is more general: you can write by hand, on a computer, or on a phone, and it can also be about the content of a text. 'tippen' more specifically means entering text with your fingers on a keyboard or smartphone. Learners may confuse the words because you can both 'write' and 'type' a message on your phone. However, 'tippen' emphasizes the way the text is entered, not so much the content or the finished text.
tippen
Am Abend tippe ich die Adresse schnell ins Handy.
In the evening, I quickly type the address into my phone.
schreiben
Im Garten schreibt sie eine Postkarte an ihre Freundin.
In the garden, she is writing a postcard to her friend.
In real life
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