indication / clue
Loading your saved state.
clue / evidence
A sign or indirect clue that suggests a particular situation or fact, but is not direct proof. Often used in legal or police contexts.
Die Fingerabdrücke am Tatort waren ein wichtiges Indiz für die Ermittler.
The fingerprints at the crime scene were an important clue for the investigators.
'Indiz' (indication/clue) is almost always used with the preposition 'für' (for) and the accusative. The structure is: something is an indication of something.
Die vielen leeren Kaffeetassen waren ein klares Indiz für eine lange Nacht.
The many empty coffee cups were a clear indication of a long night.
The word 'Indiz' (indication/clue) belongs to a more formal level of language. It is often found in the news, police reports, academic texts, and legal contexts.
Laut dem Bericht gibt es mehrere Indizien für die Beteiligung des Verdächtigen.
According to the report, there are several indications of the suspect’s involvement.
In legal contexts, clues or pieces of evidence are often 'gesammelt' (collected), 'gefunden' (found), or 'ausgewertet' (analyzed). People also speak of a 'schwaches Indiz' (weak clue) or a 'starkes Indiz' (strong clue).
Die Polizei sammelt weitere Indizien, um den Fall zu lösen.
The police are collecting more evidence to solve the case.
sign / symbol
'das Zeichen' and 'das Indiz' can both point to something. 'Zeichen' is the more general and more neutral word. It can simply be a sign of a condition or development. 'Indiz' sounds more specific and often more serious: it is an indirect clue, but not yet certain proof. You often hear it in connection with the police, courts, or a careful investigation. The words are easy to confuse because both describe clues or indications. If you only notice something in a general way, 'Zeichen' fits. If you want to draw a conclusion about a situation or fact from a clue, 'Indiz' is more suitable.
Die Polizei fand ein wichtiges Indiz in der Nähe des Hauses.
The police found an important clue near the house.
Die leeren Regale sind ein Zeichen dafür, dass viele Leute eingekauft haben.
The empty shelves are a sign that many people have been shopping.