to indicate / point
Loading your saved state.
to indicate
To be a sign of something or to suggest something. It is often used for abstract connections to refer to a possible cause or consequence.
Alle Beweise deuten auf den Gärtner als Täter hin.
All the evidence indicates that the gardener is the culprit.
'Hindeuten' (to indicate/point) is a separable verb. The prefix 'hin' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Seine Nervosität deutet auf seine Schuld hin.
His nervousness indicates his guilt.
This verb is almost always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. It describes a movement or reference in a direction.
Die Spuren im Schnee deuten auf ein großes Tier hin.
The tracks in the snow indicate a large animal.
When the subject is a person, 'hindeuten' often means to point with a finger. When the subject is an abstract thing, e.g. 'Beweise' (evidence), 'Fakten' (facts), or 'Symptome' (symptoms), it means 'to indicate' or 'to suggest'.
Der Zeuge deutete auf den Angeklagten hin.
The witness pointed to the defendant.
In the abstract meaning, typical subjects are words like 'alles' (everything), 'die Fakten' (the facts), 'die Ergebnisse' (the results), 'die Anzeichen' (the signs), or 'die Symptome' (the symptoms).
Alles deutet darauf hin, dass die Firma bald expandieren wird.
Everything indicates that the company will expand soon.
to show
'zeigen' and 'hindeuten' can both mean that you draw attention to something. 'zeigen' is more direct: you make something visible or explain clearly where or what something is. 'hindeuten auf' is often more indirect. It can mean that a sign or observation suggests a possible explanation, but does not yet prove anything for certain. Learners may confuse the words because you can point to something with your finger and thereby also show something. In practice: 'zeigen' is clear and direct, while 'hindeuten auf' is more of a hint or a possible sign.
Die dunklen Wolken deuten auf ein Gewitter hin.
The dark clouds indicate a thunderstorm.
Kannst du mir auf dem Plan zeigen, wo der Eingang ist?
Can you show me on the map where the entrance is?