das Augenzwinkern
Translation
wink, twinkle of an eye
Examples
Er sagte das mit einem Augenzwinkern.
He said that with a wink.
In einem Augenzwinkern war er weg.
In the twinkle of an eye, he was gone.
Grammar Patterns
mit einem Augenzwinkern with a wink, tongue-in-cheek He said it with a wink.
in einem Augenzwinkern in the twinkle of an eye In the twinkle of an eye, it was all over.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Blinzeln
Etymology
A nominalization of the verb 'zwinkern' (to wink), combined with 'Auge' (eye).
Memory Tips
The common phrase 'mit einem Augenzwinkern' means 'with a wink' or 'tongue-in-cheek', indicating something isn't meant to be taken completely seriously.