Singular

das

Winken

Q: Is it der, die, or das Winken?

It is das Winken. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Winken is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

Q: What is the plural of das Winken?

The noun Winken is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

Q: What does das Winken mean in English?

The German word das Winken translates to “waving” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Winken?

Like all German nouns, Winken changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are: Nominativ: das Winken Akkusativ: das Winken Dativ: dem Winken Genitiv: des Winkens These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.

waving

Plural: die Winken

Strong

Why does the noun Winken have the article das?

Nominalized infinitives (verbs used as nouns) are always neuter.

Examples

das Essen (eating/food), das Trinken (drinking), das Lesen (reading), das Schreiben (writing), das Leben (life), das Schwimmen (swimming)

Exceptions

No exceptions when truly nominalized

View all words for this rule

Declension table for German noun Winken

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	das Winken	ein Winken	kein Winken
Akkusativ	das Winken	ein Winken	kein Winken
Dativ	dem Winken	einem Winken	keinem Winken
Genitiv	des Winkens	eines Winkens	keines Winkens
Nominativ	die Winken	Winken	keine Winken
Akkusativ	die Winken	Winken	keine Winken
Dativ	den Winken	Winken	keinen Winken
Genitiv	der Winken	Winken	keiner Winken

Examples in context

Real sentences using Winken in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das freundliche Winken war freundlich.The friendly waving was kind.	Ein schnelles Winken hilft oft.A quick wave often helps.	Kein kurzes Winken ist nötig.No short waving is necessary.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe das deutliche Winken.I see the clear waving.	Er braucht ein gutes Winken.He needs a good wave.	Sie will kein schlechtes Winken.She doesn't want a bad waving.
Dativ	Mit dem freundlichen Winken bin ich einverstanden.I agree with the friendly waving.	Er hilft einem schnellen Winken.He helps with a quick wave.	Mit keinem kurzen Winken geht es.It works with no short waving.
Genitiv	Der Grund des deutlichen Winkens ist unklar.The reason for the clear waving is unclear.	Die Bedeutung eines guten Winkens ist groß.The meaning of a good wave is great.	Der Wert keines schlechten Winkens ist gering.The value of no bad waving is low.
Nominativ	Die vielen Winken waren verwirrend.The many wavings were confusing.	Lange Winken sind hier üblich.Long wavings are common here.	Keine heimlichen Winken sind erlaubt.No secret wavings are allowed.
Akkusativ	Wir sehen die vielen Winken oft.We often see the many wavings.	Ich mag freundliche Winken nicht.I don't like friendly wavings.	Er hat keine schnellen Winken.He has no quick wavings.
Dativ	Mit den vielen Winken bin ich zufrieden.I am satisfied with the many wavings.	Ich spreche über langen Winken.I talk about long wavings.	Mit keinen heimlichen Winken geht es.It works with no secret wavings.
Genitiv	Die Ursache der vielen Winken ist bekannt.The cause of the many wavings is known.	Die Wirkung freundlicher Winken ist klar.The effect of friendly wavings is clear.	Die Folgen keiner schnellen Winken sind schlimm.The consequences of no quick wavings are bad.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Winken?

It is das Winken. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Winken is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of das Winken?

The noun Winken is typically used in the singular form (Singularetantum) or has a plural form identical to the singular.

What does das Winken mean in English?

The German word das Winken translates to “waving” in English.

How do you decline das Winken?

Like all German nouns, Winken changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:

Nominativ: das Winken
Akkusativ: das Winken
Dativ: dem Winken
Genitiv: des Winkens

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.