deutet

Deutet is the third-person singular present tense form of the German verb deuten. The verb has two broad meanings: to interpret or construe something (a statement, a symbol, a work of art) and to indicate or point to something (a sign, direction). In many contexts it covers both senses, depending on the object and construction.

Conjugation and usage. As a regular weak verb, deuten follows standard German conjugation: ich deute, du deutest, er/deutet, wir deuten, ihr deutet, sie deuten. The simple past is deute-te form: ich deutete, du deutetest, er deutete, wir deuteten, ihr deutetet, sie deuteten. The perfect tense is formed with haben: ich habe gedeutet. Common constructions include deuten auf + accusative to indicate or point to something, and deuten als + accusative for interpreting someone or something as something (z. B. ihn als Schuldigen deuten).

Usage notes. Deuten often implies interpretation or inference rather than direct measurement or mere observation. Es deutet darauf hin is a frequent collocation meaning “it points to / indicates that.” In contrast, deuten can express a more subjective reading, such as interpreting a remark as irony or a symbolic meaning (eine Botschaft deuten). The verb is versatile across domains, including science, literature, and everyday speech, and it is distinct from synonyms like anzeigen (to indicate in a more direct, notify sense) or hinweisen (to point out).

Etymology and related forms. Deuten originates from Old High German and is cognate with related Germanic languages’ words such as Dutch duiden and Swedish tyda, all linked to the sense of showing or interpreting signs. The form deutet is a standard inflected form used in contemporary German.

Examples. Der Zeiger deutet nach rechts. (The pointer points to the right.) Der Bericht deutet darauf hin, dass die Firma Gewinne macht. (The report indicates that the company is making profits.) Sie deutete seine Bemerkung als Sarkasmus.