cligner

to blink, to wink

verb klee-NYEH Rare

Usage Note

Cligner is typically paired with des yeux (to blink) or de l'oeil (to wink). The derived noun clignotant means a car indicator/turn signal, and the verb clignoter means 'to flash' or 'to flicker'. Cligner de l'oeil can signal a shared understanding or hint, much like the English 'to wink' at someone.

Examples

"Il a cligné de l'oeil pour me rassurer."

Natural Translation

He winked at me to reassure me.

Literal Translation

He blinked of the eye to reassure me.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Telling Time in French: Hours, Quarters, 24-Hour

Telling time in French means Il est cinq heures, et quart, et demie, and the 24-hour clock like quatorze heures trente. Read any French schedule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Tu vs Vous: When to Use Each in French

Tu vs vous in French: use tu for one friend, family, or child, and vous for strangers, elders, your boss, and any group. A clear etiquette guide.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Aller + Infinitive: The Easy French Future

Form the French near future in seconds: conjugate aller in the present and add an infinitive. Learn futur proche rules, negation, pronouns, and when to use it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Sorry in French: Désolé vs Pardon vs Excusez-moi

Use désolé for genuine regret, pardon to bump or squeeze past, and excusez-moi to get attention. A situation-by-situation guide to saying sorry in French.

June 4, 2026 5 min read