verbverb

weisen

show · point

Jemandem etwas zeigen oder erklären, damit die Person es versteht oder findet.

Definition & meaning

The verb "weisen" primarily means to point, to show, or to direct. It is used when someone indicates a direction, an object, or a path to another person. In a more abstract sense, it can mean to assign someone to a specific place or to provide a certain instruction.

While the simple verb "weisen" is common, it frequently appears in compound forms that change the meaning slightly:

To point at something: Often used with the preposition "auf" (e.g., auf einen Fehler weisen).
To direct or guide: Providing someone with a path (e.g., den Weg weisen).
To expel or banish: Used in contexts like "jemanden des Landes weisen" (to expel someone from the country).

Grammar & Word origin

"weisen" is a strong (irregular) verb. Its forms are:

Present: er/sie/es weist
Preterite: wies
Perfect: hat gewiesen

Etymologically, the word comes from the Old High German "wīsan", which is related to the word "wissen" (to know). The original meaning was "to make someone know the way." It is also linguistically related to the adjective "weise" (wise), sharing the root concept of insight and knowledge.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms: The most direct synonym for showing or pointing is zeigen. When referring to directing someone's attention or indicating a fact, hindeuten or hinweisen are used. In the context of guiding or leading, synonyms include führen or leiten.

Antonyms: If interpreted as showing the correct way, an antonym is irreführen (to mislead). If the meaning is to reveal or indicate, the opposite would be verbergen (to hide) or verstecken (to conceal). In the context of "assigning" or "directing towards," an opposite could be abweisen (to reject/turn away).