winken
Translation
to wave, to beckon
Examples
Sie winkt mir zum Abschied.
She waves goodbye to me.
Der Kellner winkte uns zu sich.
The waiter beckoned us over.
Grammar Patterns
((to sb.)) ((with sth.)) to wave to sb. with sth. She waves to me with a cloth.
Similar Words
Synonyms: grüßen (to greet), ein Zeichen geben (to give a sign)
Etymology
From Old High German 'winkan' (to sway, stagger), related to the English word 'wink', referring to a wavering motion.
Memory Tips
Think of the 'W' in 'winken' as the shape of a hand waving back and forth.