Spanish word

guiñar

Pronunciation

IPA/giˈɲaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbwink

Example

Ella me guiñó para saludar.

She winked at me to say hello.

Illustration for guiñar (wink)

More examples

El periodista guiñó el ojo a la cámara al terminar la entrevista.

The reporter winked at the camera at the end of the interview.

Core concept

Brief one-eye gesture that signals complicity, flirtation, or a private joke.

Common phrases

  • guiñar el ojo

    wink one's eye

  • guiñar a alguien

    wink at someone

Similar words

parpadear: Closes the eyelids very briefly and reflexively, then reopens them.
entornar: Partially closes the eyelids, narrowing the gaze slightly.
cerrar: Closes the eyelids completely so the eyes are shut.
sonreír: Raises the corners of the mouth to form a smile.

Definition in Spanish

Cerrar un ojo brevemente para comunicar sin palabras algo como saludo, complicidad o coquetería.

Word origin

The verb develops from the noun guiño 'wink', with the suffix -ar creating the action verb.

Usage tips

  • Guiñar contrasts with parpadear, which refers to blinking both eyes or involuntary blinks, so guiñar denotes an intentional wink.

Related words

Word lists with this word