verb
to wave, to beckon
B1
winken: verb meaning to wave (greet) or to beckon someone. Regular weak verb using auxiliary haben. Non‑reflexive. Past participle has two variants (gewinkt/gewunken) used in perfect tenses. Often used with an object, e.g. jemanden zu sich winken (beckon someone over). Imperative: wink!, wankt!, wankt!.
Examples
Sie winkte zum Abschied.
She waved goodbye.
Die Reisenden winkten dem Kapitän, als das Schiff den Hafen verließ, obwohl der Wind stark gewesen war.
The travelers waved to the captain as the ship left the port, although the wind had been strong.
Sie winkte zum Abschied, als der Zug losfuhr.
She waved goodbye as the train pulled away.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture someone moving their hand back and forth — that motion is 'winken'.
Sounds like English 'winken' ≈ 'wink in' — imagine someone winking to beckon you in.
Notes
Past participle variants include 'gewinkt' and (less commonly) 'gewunken' in some dialects; both are understood. Primarily non-reflexive and usually acts as an intransitive verb when used for waving. | Intransitive verb; passive voice conjugations are not applicable. Konjunktiv I Präteritum forms are not used; any Konjunktiv I präteritum entries have been marked 'not applicable'.