1. to nodd [verb] [knikte, geknikt] ['knik-kun']

"Knikken" is mostly used in the meaning ‘to nodd (in agreement)’, jaknikken (lit: ‘to nodd yes’). The related noun is "jaknikker" which can be translated as "yes-man" or "nodder". Because of its appearance, pumpjacks or nodding donkeys (see picture below) are called "jaknikkers" in Dutch.

Examples:
- "Ze knikte ja maar volgens mij snapte ze er geen woord van."
("She nodded (in agreement), but I think she didn’t understand a word". Lit: "She nodded yes but according to me she didn’t understand a word of it.")

- "Jaknikkers kunnen we niet gebruiken in dit bedrijf; we zoeken mensen met lef!"
("We don’t need nodders in this company; we are looking for people with guts!")

- “De jaknikkers zagen er indrukwekkend uit in het lege landschap."
("The grasshoppers looked impressive in the empty landscape.")

Related words: 
- "Jaknikker" [noun] [de jaknikker, de jaknikkers]: yes-man, nodder.
- "Jaknikker" [noun] [de jaknikker, de jaknikkers]: pumpjack, nodding donkey, grasshopper.
- "Knik" [noun] [de knik, de knikken]: nodd.

2. to twist, to fold, to bend [verb] [knikte, geknikt] ['knik-kun']

Another meaning of "knikken" is "to bend (sharply)". In this context a "knik" is a "bend", "kink" or "twist". Besides "knikken" you will see the synonymous "knakken" more often, see the Examples.

Examples:
- "De bloemstelen waren geknakt door de regen."
("The flowers stalks were bent by the rain.")

- "Met knikkende knieën stapte zij op hem af."
("She approached him with knocking knees.")

Related words: 
- "Knakken": to crack, to snap, to break.