01
der Zeiger
hand / pointer
The movable part of a clock or measuring instrument that indicates the time or a measured value on a scale.
example
Der große Zeiger der Uhr zeigt auf die Zwölf.
The big hand of the clock points to twelve.
der Zeiger
hand / pointer
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Zeiger' is derived from the verb 'zeigen' (to show/point). So a 'Zeiger' is literally a thing that indicates something—whether the time on a clock or a value on a measuring device.
EXAMPLE
Ein Kompass hat einen Zeiger, der immer nach Norden zeigt.
A compass has a pointer that always points north.
Typical collocations
With clocks, people speak of the 'großer Zeiger' (big hand, minutes), 'kleiner Zeiger' (small hand, hours), and 'Sekundenzeiger' (second hand). A 'Zeiger' can 'sich bewegen' (move), 'stehen' (stand/be positioned), or 'auf eine Zahl zeigen' (point to a number).
EXAMPLE
Der kleine Zeiger steht auf der Drei und der große auf der Sechs.
The small hand is on the three and the big hand is on the six.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Zeiger stehen auf ...' is always used in the plural and combined with a noun that describes a situation. Typical nouns are 'Sturm' (storm/trouble), 'Konfrontation' (confrontation), or 'Veränderung' (change).
EXAMPLE
Nach den schlechten Quartalszahlen stehen die Zeiger in der Firma auf Sparen.
After the poor quarterly figures, the signs in the company point to cost-cutting.
Context clue
You can almost always recognize the figurative meaning from the fixed expression 'die Zeiger stehen auf...' (the signs point to...). In all other cases, especially when clocks or measuring instruments are involved, the literal meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeiger des Messgeräts schlug plötzlich aus.
The pointer of the measuring device suddenly jumped.
Compare with
Zeiger vs Anzeige
advertisement / report / display
'die Anzeige' and 'der Zeiger' can both have to do with reading information, for example on a device or a clock. 'Anzeige' means the visible information itself or the area where it appears, such as a display. 'Zeiger' means a movable part that points to a number or value. The words can be confused because both indicate something. In practical terms: the display shows the value; the hand or pointer is often the part that points to the value.
Zeiger
Bei der alten Uhr bewegt sich der kleine Zeiger nicht mehr.
On the old clock, the small hand no longer moves.
Anzeige
Die Anzeige am Fahrkartenautomaten ist heute schlecht zu lesen.
The display on the ticket machine is hard to read today.
In real life
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