Usage Note
Kapâ describes the act of feeling around blindly in the dark or in an unfamiliar place using one's hands to navigate. It is used both literally and figuratively — nagkakapa can describe someone uncertain or fumbling through a situation without clear guidance, much like finding a light switch in total darkness.
Examples
" Nangangapa siya sa dilim. "
Natural Translation
He/She is groping in the dark.
Literal Translation
Groping he/she in-the dark.
" Ang kapâ sa dilim ay mahirap. "
Natural Translation
Groping in the dark is hard.
Literal Translation
The grope in-the dark is hard.
" Dahil walang ilaw, nangangapa kami sa pader habang naghahanap ng pintuan palabas. "
Natural Translation
Because there was no light, we were groping along the wall while looking for the way out.
Literal Translation
Because no light, groping we on-the wall while searching of door out.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workActor Focus Verbs
Object Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Tagalog?
Survival Tagalog takes ~3-4 weeks and comfortable conversation 6-12 months. FSI's 1,100 hours is the professional bar, not the talking-to-family bar.

Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.

Tagalog Time Expressions: Past, Present & Future Guide
Tagalog has no tenses — it uses aspect. Learn time words, days of the week, clock time, and the aspect system, with vocabulary tables and cultural notes.

Mano Po and Filipino Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide
Mano po presses an elder's hand to your forehead as a blessing. Learn who to mano, how to lip-point, and the etiquette that wins over a Filipino family.