to point out / indicate
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to point out
To draw someone's attention to a piece of information, a circumstance, or a mistake.
Ich möchte Sie darauf hinweisen, dass das Parken hier verboten ist.
I would like to point out to you that parking is prohibited here.
to indicate
To be a sign or indication of something; to point to a certain development or condition.
Die vielen Rechtschreibfehler im Text weisen auf mangelnde Sorgfalt hin.
The many spelling mistakes in the text indicate a lack of care.
to point
To point in a certain direction or at something specific with a gesture, usually with the finger or hand.
Der Zeuge wies auf den Mann in der ersten Reihe hin und identifizierte ihn als Täter.
The witness pointed to the man in the first row and identified him as the perpetrator.
'Hinweisen' (to point out / indicate) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'hin' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Der Lehrer weist auf einen Fehler im Text hin.
The teacher points out a mistake in the text.
The verb 'hinweisen' (to point out / indicate) is almost always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative. This pattern applies to all meanings of the verb.
Ein Schild weist auf die nächste Ausfahrt hin.
A sign points to the next exit.
The subject of the sentence helps you recognize the meaning. If the subject is a person, they are drawing someone's attention to something. If the subject is a thing or circumstance, it indicates something.
Die Chefin wies auf die neuen Regeln hin.
The boss pointed out the new rules.
To draw attention to information in a subordinate clause, the structure 'darauf hinweisen, dass ...' (to point out that ...) is used very frequently. The verb is then in the main clause and introduces the subordinate clause.
Ich möchte Sie darauf hinweisen, dass der Zug heute fünf Minuten Verspätung hat.
I would like to point out to you that the train is five minutes late today.
to show
With a gesture, zeigen and hinweisen can both direct someone to a place or object. zeigen makes it visible or recognizable to the other person. Hinweisen emphasizes more strongly that the gesture deliberately directs their attention there.
Die Mitarbeiterin weist mit der Hand auf den leicht zu übersehenden Eingang hin.
The employee points with her hand to the easily overlooked entrance.
Die Mitarbeiterin zeigt mir den Eingang auf dem Lageplan.
The employee shows me the entrance on the site plan.
