tapar

Tapar is the infinitive form of the Spanish verb tapar, which means to cover, seal, close, or to block something from light, air, or sight. It can refer to physically covering an object or to concealing information, emotions, or other aspects.

As a regular -ar verb, tapar follows the standard conjugation pattern of the first conjugation in Spanish. Examples in the present indicative are: yo tapo, tú tapas, él/ella tapa, nosotros tapamos, vosotros tapáis, ellos tapan. In the preterite, forms include: yo tapé, tú tapaste, él/ella tapó, nosotros tapamos, vosotros tapasteis, ellos taparon. The imperfect is: yo tapaba, tú tapabas, él/ella tapaba, nosotros tapábamos, vosotros tapabais, ellos tapaban. The present subjunctive is: yo tape, tú tapes, él/ella tape, nosotros tapemos, vosotros tapéis, ellos tapen. The gerund is tapando, and the past participle is tapado.

Usage and phrases commonly illustrate both physical and figurative meanings. Examples include tapar la boca (to cover one’s mouth), tapar una botella (to seal a bottle), tapar un agujero (to plug a hole), and tapar la verdad (to cover up the truth). The reflexive form taparse can indicate covering or closing something for oneself, as in taparse los ojos (to cover one’s eyes).

Beyond the verb, Tapar may also appear as a surname or in place names in Spanish-speaking contexts, though these uses are less common and highly context-dependent.