winken

/ˈvɪŋkn̩/

verb A2

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: winkt
past: winkte
perfect: hat gewinkt

Meaning

to wave
- Sie winkte ihm vom Bahnsteig aus.
  
  She waved to him from the platform.
- Die Kinder winkten dem Zug hinterher. Die Passagiere winkten zurück.
  
  The children waved after the train. The passengers waved back.

Similar words

fuchteln

winken means to wave, generally, like waving hello; fuchteln means to wave one's arms or hands about wildly or frantically, more agitated and less controlled.

Similar in other languages

Portuguese

acenar

acenar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to wave."

Practice

1 What does winken mean?

2 Fill the gap: Sie ___ ihm vom Bahnsteig aus.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches winken?

verb

Last updated 2026-09-19