Tupfen

Tupfen is a German verb meaning to dab, pat lightly, or blot with a soft instrument or material. It describes applying a small amount of liquid, paint, or cream by tapping rather than rubbing, and it can denote the action of blotting a surface to absorb moisture. The noun das Tupfen refers to the act itself, a small dab, or to the tool used for dabbing; der Tupfer designates a dab, patch, or the tool (such as a cotton swab, sponge, or cloth) used for the action. In culinary contexts, a Tupfer can refer to a small dollop of sauce or cream. In cosmetics and medical settings, Tupfer can denote a cotton swab used for application or blotting.

The term is of Germanic origin and is common in standard German. It emphasizes a light, precise application rather than brushing or rubbing. In everyday language, tupfen appears in instructions and descriptions across crafts, painting, makeup application, and cleaning tasks. Examples include dabbing paint onto a surface to create texture, or blotting ink to prevent spreading.

Tupfen is thus a versatile term used to describe gentle, localized application or absorption tasks in various disciplines.