expressive / speaking
Loading your saved state.
expressive
In a way that clearly expresses something, often without words; meaningful or telling.
Sie warf ihm einen sprechenden Blick zu, der mehr sagte als tausend Worte.
She gave him an expressive look that said more than a thousand words.
speaking
Referring to the actual act of speaking. Often used to describe living beings or devices that have the ability to speak.
Der sprechende Papagei konnte ganze Sätze wiederholen.
The speaking parrot could repeat whole sentences.
'Sprechend' (speaking) is the present participle of the verb 'sprechen' (to speak). Like many participles in German, it can be used as an adjective before a noun and declined accordingly.
Das ist ein sprechender Name für ein so lautes Auto.
That is a telling name for such a loud car.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If the word refers to living beings or devices that can produce sounds, the literal meaning is intended. If it refers to looks, examples, or names, the figurative, expressive meaning is intended.
Meine Nichte hat ein sprechendes Bilderbuch bekommen.
My niece got a talking picture book.
In the figurative meaning 'aussagekräftig' (meaningful), 'sprechend' (expressive) is often used in fixed phrases: 'ein sprechender Blick' (an expressive look), 'sprechende Augen' (expressive eyes), 'ein sprechendes Beispiel' (a telling example), or 'ein sprechender Name' (a telling name).
Die Ruine ist ein sprechendes Zeugnis der Zerstörung im Krieg.
The ruin is a telling testimony to the destruction in the war.
In the literal meaning 'sprechen könnend' (able to speak), the word is often used for animals or technical devices. Typical examples are: 'ein sprechender Papagei' (a talking parrot), 'eine sprechende Uhr' (a talking clock), or 'sprechendes Spielzeug' (talking toys).
Die neue Navigations-App hat eine angenehm sprechende Stimme.
The new navigation app has a pleasantly speaking voice.
revealing / characteristic
Bezeichnend and sprechend both describe a feature that says something about a person or situation. Bezeichnend emphasizes that the feature is typical or characteristic; sprechend emphasizes more strongly that it is especially vivid and meaningful. Choose bezeichnend for something typical and sprechend for an impressive indication.
Sein langes Schweigen war ein sprechendes Zeichen dafür, dass ihn die Nachricht sehr getroffen hatte.
His long silence was a telling sign that the news had deeply affected him.
Bezeichnend für seine ruhige Art war, dass er auch in dieser schwierigen Situation freundlich blieb.
What was characteristic of his calm manner was that he remained friendly even in this difficult situation.
