The noun der Hinweis has several meanings, all centered around the idea of pointing something out or providing information. It can refer to a hint, a reference, a piece of advice, or an instruction, depending on the context in which it appears. The verb hinweisen—from which Hinweis is derived—literally means "to point to" or "to indicate," and this sense of directing attention remains at the core of the noun’s meaning.
When used in everyday language, Hinweis can mean a clue or a tip, particularly in situations where a small piece of information leads to a greater understanding of something. In this sense, one might encounter it in crime reports, where police follow up on a Hinweis from a witness, or in everyday problem-solving, where someone provides a Hinweis that helps resolve a difficult situation. For example, Die Polizei erhielt einen Hinweis auf den Verdächtigen ("The police received a tip about the suspect"). In another common use, it can function as a synonym for Tipp, though Tipp is more colloquial and often used for informal advice, such as recommendations: Ich gebe dir einen Tipp: Probier das neue Restaurant! ("I'll give you a tip: Try the new restaurant!").
Another frequent meaning of Hinweis is an instruction or a piece of practical information. Signs, manuals, and official documents often include Hinweise to provide guidance. For example, on product packaging, one might read Bitte beachten Sie die Hinweise auf der Verpackung ("Please follow the instructions on the packaging"), where Hinweise conveys warnings or recommendations. A similar meaning appears in travel contexts, where a train announcement might include Hinweise zur Sicherheit ("safety instructions"). In formal and instructional settings, words like Anweisung (directive) or Instruktion (instruction) can sometimes replace Hinweis, though Anweisung often implies a more authoritative order.
The word can also be used in an academic or intellectual sense, functioning as a reference or a citation. When discussing sources, one might say Der Autor gibt Hinweise auf frühere Studien ("The author provides references to earlier studies"). In this meaning, Verweis is sometimes used interchangeably, though Verweis often has a stronger connotation of a formal reference, as in bibliographies.
Etymologically, Hinweis is a compound of hin- (meaning “towards” or “in the direction of”) and Weis, which derives from the verb weisen ("to show" or "to indicate"). The root weisen is related to the Old High German wīsan, which carried the meaning of pointing or directing attention, much like its modern counterpart. The construction of Hinweis closely follows the pattern of other German words formed with hin-, which suggests direction or movement toward something.
Although Hinweis is widely used in formal and neutral contexts, German also offers other words that may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Spur, for instance, is often used when discussing traces or leads, especially in investigative contexts, where it suggests something more concrete than a mere hint. Rat (advice) and Empfehlung (recommendation) are better choices when giving guidance, as Hinweis is more neutral and does not necessarily imply a suggestion.
Colloquially, certain phrases incorporate Hinweis to express giving or receiving useful information. A common phrase is einen Hinweis geben ("to give a hint"), which is used in both casual and professional conversations. If someone needs help solving a puzzle or problem, they might say Kannst du mir einen Hinweis geben? ("Can you give me a hint?"). Additionally, einem Hinweis nachgehen ("to follow up on a lead") is a common expression in investigative contexts. Though not as frequently used in idiomatic speech as some other German nouns, Hinweis remains a versatile and essential part of communication across various settings.