an|zeigen
Translation
to indicate, to display, to report (to the police), to advertise
Examples
Die Zeugen zeigten den Unfall an.
The witnesses reported the accident.
Die alten Schilder zeigten den Weg an.
The old signs indicated the way.
Sie zeigten die Firma wegen Betrugs an.
They reported the company for fraud.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) an|zeigen to indicate/display sth. The display showed an error.
((sb.)) ((bei sb.)) an|zeigen to report sb. (to sb./an authority) He reported his neighbor to the police.
Similar Words
Synonyms: melden (to report), hinweisen (to point out); Antonyms: verbergen (to hide), verschweigen (to conceal)
Etymology
From the prefix 'an-' (on, at) + 'zeigen' (to show). Literally 'to show at' or 'to point towards'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'an' as directing the 'showing' (zeigen) towards a specific target, like an ad ('Anzeige') or a police report.