an|deuten
Translation
to hint, to suggest, to imply, to indicate
Examples
Er deutete an, dass er gehen wollte.
He hinted that he wanted to leave.
Sie deutete ihre Zustimmung nur an.
She only hinted at her approval.
Grammar Patterns
((to hint)), that ... to hint that... Er deutete an, dass er gehen wollte.
((to hint at)) ((sth.acc)) to hint at sth. Sie deutete ihre Zustimmung nur an.
Similar Words
Synonyms: suggerieren (to suggest), implizieren (to imply); Antonyms: klar sagen (to say clearly), aussprechen (to state)
Etymology
From the prefix 'an-' (towards) and the verb 'deuten' (to point, interpret). It means to 'point towards' an idea without stating it directly.
Memory Tips
Think of 'pointing' (deuten) 'at' (an) something indirectly. It's a separable verb, so 'an' goes to the end: 'Er deutete es an.'