Spanish word

guiño

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgiɲo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwink

Example

Ella me hizo un guiño antes de entrar.

She gave me a wink before going in.

Illustration for guiño (wink)

More examples

El camarero saludó con un guiño discreto.

The waiter gave a discreet wink.

Core concept

Single quick eyelid blink signaling joke, complicity, or flirtatious interest.

Common phrases

  • hacer un guiño

    wink

  • dar un guiño

    give a wink

  • guiño cómplice

    complicit wink

Similar words

gesto: An intentional movement of the face or body expresses emotion or intent.
mirada: A focused look or sustained gaze communicates meaning or feeling.
parpadeo: A very brief, typically involuntary eyelid closure and reopening as a blink.

Definition in Spanish

Cierre breve y parcial del párpado que sirve como señal no verbal para comunicar broma, complicidad o interés.

Word origin

It derives from the verb guiñar 'to wink' plus the nominal suffix -o to form a noun naming the quick eyelid blink used to signal joke, complicity, or interest.

Usage tips

  • The tilde on the n (ñ) is essential: guiño has a palatal 'ny' sound, so writing guino changes the pronunciation and looks like a different word.

Other meanings

  • knowing looknoun

Related words

Word lists with this word