zwinkern

/ˈtsvɪŋkɐn/

verb B2

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

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: zwinkert
past: zwinkerte
perfect: hat gezwinkert

Meaning

to wink
- Er zwinkerte ihr zu.
  
  He winked at her.
- Sie zwinkerte ihm verschmitzt zu. Er wusste sofort, was sie meinte.
  
  She winked at him mischievously. He knew immediately what she meant.

Similar words

blinken

Both can translate English "blink" in one sense each — blinken is a light blinking/flashing (an indicator, a star); zwinkern is a deliberate wink of the eye.

blinzeln

Blinzeln is an involuntary blink of the eyes; zwinkern is a deliberate wink, usually at someone, as a signal.

Similar in other languages

Spanish

guiñar

guiñar is the Spanish word for the same thing — both mean "to wink."

Practice

1 What does zwinkern mean?

2 Fill the gap: Er ___ ihr zu.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches zwinkern?

verb

Last updated 2026-09-24