German Conversation · Level 95
59 words
German word
deuten
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈdɔʏ̯tən/
Meaning
- verbinterpret
Example
Er deutet die Aussage anders.
He interprets the statement differently.
More examples
Viele Beobachter deuten das Verhalten als Strategie.
Many observers interpret the behavior as a strategy.
Core concept
Someone reads a sign, statement, or gesture and connects it with a possible meaning or conclusion.
Common phrases
etwas als Beweis deuten
interpret ___ as evidence
das Verhalten deuten
interpret the behavior
auf etwas deuten
suggest ___
Similar words
verstehen: To grasp the meaning of something heard or seen.
interpretieren: To analyze and explain the meaning of a speech or text.
Definition in German
etwas als Hinweis oder Bedeutung verstehen und daraus Schlussfolgerungen ziehen.
Word origin
Deuten is an inherited Germanic verb recorded in Old High German as tiuten or diuten, with its sense developing from making something clear to interpreting or indicating it.
Usage tips
- Deuten auf + accusative describes something that indicates or suggests another thing, while etwas als + accusative means to interpret something as something else.
Other meanings
- indicateverb
- suggestverb
Opposites
- verkennenmisjudgeverb
- missverstehenmisunderstandverb
Related words
- Deutunginterpretationnoun
- verdeutlichenclarifyverb
- deutlichclearadjective