Example: Er sagte die Kritik etwas mit einem Augenzwinkern, um niemanden zu verletzen.
Definition
"Etwas mit einem Augenzwinkern sagen" means to say something in a playful or ironic manner, often implying that the statement is not to be taken completely seriously. It conveys humor or subtle teasing, as in the example where a criticism is delivered gently to avoid hurting someone.
Translations
say tongue-in-cheek
decir con ironía
met een knipoog zeggen
dir amb ironia
dire avec un clin d'œil
Etymology
The phrase "etwas mit einem Augenzwinkern sagen" literally translates to 'say something with a wink.' It originates from the gesture of winking, which has long been used to indicate humor, irony, or a shared secret. Did you know that winking as a nonverbal cue dates back to ancient times, symbolizing playful complicity?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Etwas mit einem Augenzwinkern sagen" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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say tongue-in-cheek