hint / notice
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tip / clue
A piece of information, a tip, or a clue that helps to understand or find something, or to solve a problem.
Die Polizei erhielt einen anonymen Hinweis, der zur Festnahme des Täters führte.
The police received an anonymous tip that led to the arrest of the perpetrator.
'Der Hinweis' (hint/notice) is derived directly from the separable verb 'hinweisen' (to point out). A 'Hinweis' is therefore literally something that 'points to' information or a solution.
Ein Schild weist auf die Gefahr hin.
A sign points out the danger.
Both the noun 'Hinweis' (hint/notice) and the verb 'hinweisen' (to point out) are almost always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. The structure is: 'ein Hinweis auf etwas' (a hint/reference to something).
Die Spuren im Schnee waren ein wichtiger Hinweis auf die Anwesenheit von Tieren.
The tracks in the snow were an important clue to the presence of animals.
In the sense of 'Tipp' (tip) or 'Anhaltspunkt' (clue), 'Hinweis' is often used with verbs such as 'geben' (to give), 'bekommen' (to get), or 'erhalten' (to receive). Common adjectives are 'wichtig' (important), 'nützlich' (useful), or 'entscheidend' (decisive).
Danke für den nützlichen Hinweis, ich hätte das fast vergessen!
Thanks for the useful tip; I almost forgot that!
Besides the abstract meaning of a piece of information, 'Hinweis' can also refer to a concrete, physical object, for example a sign, a slip of paper, or a note.
An der Tür hing ein Hinweis mit den neuen Öffnungszeiten.
There was a notice on the door with the new opening hours.
information
'Information' and 'Hinweis' can both contain something that someone is supposed to know. 'Information' is neutral and general: you receive knowledge about something. 'Hinweis' is more targeted. It draws attention to something or helps someone understand, find, or do something correctly. A 'Hinweis' can also be a tip, a warning, or a short notice on a sign. The words can be confused because a 'Hinweis' is always also a kind of information. If the information gives direction or points to something important, 'Hinweis' fits better.
Am Telefon gab mir meine Kollegin den Hinweis, die Datei zuerst zu speichern.
On the phone, my colleague gave me the tip to save the file first.
Vor dem Termin hat sie noch eine wichtige Information per E-Mail bekommen.
Before the appointment, she received another important piece of information by email.