German word

winken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɪŋkən/

Meaning

  • verbwave

Example

Sie winkte zum Abschied.

She waved goodbye.

Illustration for winken (wave)

More examples

Sie winkt dem Busfahrer zum Anhalten.

She waves to the bus driver to stop.

Core concept

A raised hand moves visibly to greet, dismiss, or call someone closer.

Common phrases

  • aus dem Auto winken

    wave from the car

  • freundlich winken

    wave in a friendly manner

Similar words

zuwinken: Wave toward someone as a greeting or signal.
heranwinken: Use a hand gesture to call someone closer.

Definition in German

Mit der Hand ein Zeichen geben, um jemanden zu rufen, zu grüßen oder zu verabschieden.

Word origin

Winken is an inherited Germanic verb attested in Old High German as winkon and in Middle High German as winken.

Usage tips

  • A person receiving a wave is usually marked by the dative, as in jemandem winken or jemandem zuwinken.

Other meanings

  • beckonverb
  • signalverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Winksignalnoun
  • Winkzeichensignalnoun

Word lists with this word