rüttelte

Rüttelte is a German word that functions as the past tense of the verb rütteln. The verb rütteln generally means to shake or jiggle something, often repeatedly or with some force. Therefore, rüttelte describes an action that occurred in the past where something was shaken or jiggled. The specific context in which rüttelte is used will determine the exact nuance of the shaking action.

For example, one might say "Er rüttelte am Fenster" which translates to "He shook the window." This implies a forceful and potentially persistent movement. Alternatively, "Sie rüttelte sanft an seinem Arm" means "She gently shook his arm," indicating a much milder form of movement. The word can also be used figuratively, though this is less common. In essence, rüttelte is the past narrative of an act of shaking.