tatap
tatáp with stress marks
to know or understand
Usage Note
Tatap is a somewhat archaic or literary verb meaning to grasp something intellectually or to become aware of a fact. It is less common in everyday speech than 'alam' or 'maintindihan', appearing more often in formal writing or traditional literature.
Examples
" Hindi ko matatap ang sagot. "
Natural Translation
I cannot grasp the answer.
Literal Translation
Not I grasp the answer.
" Nais ko ang buong tatap sa aralin na ito. "
Natural Translation
I want a full understanding of this lesson.
Literal Translation
Want I the whole understand in-the lesson that this.
" Matapos ang mahabang pagninilay, unti-unti niyang natatap ang tunay na kahulugan ng lumang salawikain. "
Natural Translation
After long reflection, he/she gradually came to grasp the true meaning of the old proverb.
Literal Translation
After the long reflection, little-by-little his/her grasped the true meaning of-the old proverb.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.

Filipino Family Words and Honorifics: Ate, Kuya & Tita
Filipino family words like ate, kuya, tita, tito, lolo, and lola go far beyond family — learn how Filipinos use them with strangers, plus mano po etiquette.

Philippines Geography for Learners: Islands & Language
Philippines geography for Tagalog learners: 7,641 islands, three island groups, and the Southern Luzon heartland where the Tagalog language was born.

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.

May vs Mayroon vs Meron: Have & There Is
May vs mayroon in Tagalog finally made simple: one rule decides which to use, plus how meron and wala fit the same have and there-is family.