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B1 verb 13 min read

darauf hinweisen

Examples
Explanation darauf hinweisen in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'darauf hinweisen' is a very advanced concept, but you will hear it often. It means 'to point out'. You will hear it in train stations when they say 'Wir weisen darauf hin...' which means 'We want to point out...'. As a beginner, you don't need to use this complex grammar yourself yet. Just understand that when you hear 'hinweisen', someone is giving you important information or a warning. The word 'darauf' just connects the verb to the rest of the sentence. Focus on recognizing the word when native speakers talk to you or when you hear announcements. It is a separable verb, which means 'hin' and 'weisen' can split up. For example, 'Ich weise darauf hin'. The 'hin' goes to the end. But for now, just learn it as a fixed phrase that means 'attention, important information is coming'.
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At the A2 level, you can start using 'darauf hinweisen' in simple sentences. It means 'to point out' or 'to indicate'. You know that German verbs can split. 'Hinweisen' is one of them. 'Ich weise darauf hin' (I point out). The most useful way to learn this is with the modal verb 'möchten' (would like to). 'Ich möchte darauf hinweisen, dass...' means 'I would like to point out that...'. This is a very polite and normal way to say something important in German. You use 'dass' (that) to connect the next sentence. For example: 'Ich möchte darauf hinweisen, dass das Restaurant heute geschlossen ist.' (I would like to point out that the restaurant is closed today). Remember that the person you speak to is in the accusative case: 'Ich weise dich darauf hin' (I point it out to you). Practice using it with 'dass' sentences to sound much more fluent.
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At the B1 level, 'darauf hinweisen' becomes an essential part of your active vocabulary. This is the level where you start arguing, explaining, and giving detailed opinions. 'Darauf hinweisen' (to point out / to indicate) is perfect for this. Grammatically, it requires the preposition 'auf' + Accusative. When referring to a following clause, 'auf' becomes the pronominal adverb 'darauf'. You must use 'darauf' in the main clause to anticipate the 'dass'-clause. For example: 'Der Lehrer hat darauf hingewiesen, dass der Test schwer wird.' Notice the perfect tense: 'hat hingewiesen'. You will use this in emails, discussions, and when making plans. It is more polite than just saying 'Du hast das vergessen' (You forgot that). Instead, you say 'Ich möchte dich darauf hinweisen, dass...' It shows you can navigate German social norms and complex sentence structures with separable verbs and subordinate clauses.
At the B2 level, your use of 'darauf hinweisen' should be natural and versatile. You are expected to use it in professional and formal contexts. It is a key phrase for business German, academic writing, and formal correspondence. You should comfortably use it in various tenses (Präteritum: 'er wies darauf hin'; Perfekt: 'er hat darauf hingewiesen') and with infinitive clauses ('Er wies mich darauf hin, das Dokument zu unterschreiben'). You also need to distinguish it from synonyms like 'aufmerksam machen auf' (to draw attention to) or 'verweisen auf' (to refer to). At this level, you understand the pragmatic weight of the phrase: it is a tool for diplomacy, allowing you to correct someone or highlight a critical issue without causing offense. It is heavily used in passive constructions or impersonal statements: 'Es muss darauf hingewiesen werden, dass...' (It must be pointed out that...).
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At the C1 level, 'darauf hinweisen' is deeply integrated into your sophisticated discourse. You use it to navigate complex academic, professional, and societal debates. You understand its role as a discourse marker that structures argumentation. You can seamlessly embed it in complex syntactic structures, such as extended participial phrases or highly nested subordinate clauses. You are aware of the subtle nuances: while 'hinweisen' is objective, phrases like 'insinuieren' or 'andeuten' carry different pragmatic intentions. You use it to cite literature ('Wie Müller (2020) darauf hinweist...'), to preempt counterarguments ('Man könnte nun darauf hinweisen, dass...'), and to manage meeting dynamics. Your command of the pronominal adverb 'darauf' is flawless, never confusing it with 'daran' or 'dazu', and you intuitively know when to use the accusative object ('jemanden darauf hinweisen') versus a general statement.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'darauf hinweisen' is indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. You employ it with stylistic precision across all registers, from highly formal legal documents to nuanced literary analysis. You manipulate the phrase for rhetorical effect, perhaps using the subjunctive I in reported speech ('Die Klägerin wies darauf hin, dass der Vertrag nichtig sei'). You appreciate the etymological roots of 'weisen' (to show/direct) and how the directional prefix 'hin' implies a figurative pointing of the finger. You can play with variations and nominalizations ('Unter Hinweis auf...'). You understand its cultural resonance in German bureaucracy and formal communication, where pointing things out is not seen as rude, but as a necessary establishment of facts and order. Your usage is automatic, structurally flawless, and perfectly attuned to the pragmatic demands of any situation.
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Examples
The German verb 'darauf hinweisen' is a highly versatile and frequently used expression in both spoken and written communication. At its core, it translates to 'to point out', 'to indicate', or 'to draw attention to'. It is a compound construction consisting of the pronominal adverb 'darauf' (thereupon/to that) and the separable verb 'hinweisen' (to point/indicate). Understanding this word is absolutely crucial for anyone looking to achieve fluency in German, particularly at the B1 level and beyond, because it bridges the gap between simple observations and complex, structured arguments. When you use this phrase, you are actively directing your listener's or reader's cognitive focus toward a specific fact, condition, rule, or circumstance that they might have overlooked, forgotten, or simply need to be aware of for the current context.
Literal Meaning
The literal breakdown is 'hin' (towards), 'weisen' (to point), and 'darauf' (on it), creating the image of physically pointing a finger at a specific concept.

Ich möchte Sie darauf hinweisen, dass das Rauchen hier verboten ist.

In everyday life, people use this phrase in a multitude of scenarios. You will hear it in train stations when announcers inform passengers about delays. You will read it in formal letters from the government or your landlord pointing out specific clauses in a contract. You will use it in business meetings to diplomatically bring up a potential flaw in a project plan without sounding overly aggressive. It is the polite yet firm way of saying 'Hey, look at this, it is important.'
Pragmatic Function
Pragmatically, it serves as a discourse marker that shifts the topic slightly to ensure foundational understanding before proceeding with an argument.
Furthermore, the use of 'darauf' is grammatically mandatory when the thing you are pointing out is expressed as a subsequent clause (usually a 'dass'-clause). You cannot simply say 'Ich weise hin, dass...'; the German language requires the placeholder 'darauf' in the main clause to anticipate the subordinate clause. This is a classic example of German structural precision.

Der Lehrer musste darauf hinweisen, dass die Prüfung morgen stattfindet.

The beauty of this verb lies in its scalability regarding formality. While it is inherently polite and often found in formal registers (Siezen), it is perfectly acceptable in casual conversations among friends (Duzen) when you need to make a serious point. For instance, if a friend is planning a hiking trip but ignoring the weather forecast, you might say, 'Ich muss dich darauf hinweisen, dass es regnen soll.' It carries a weight of responsibility.
Social Context
Using this phrase shows respect for the listener's autonomy while ensuring they have all the necessary information to make an informed decision.

Wir möchten darauf hinweisen, dass Änderungen vorbehalten sind.

In journalism and academic writing, 'darauf hinweisen' is indispensable. Authors use it to cite previous studies, to highlight anomalies in data, or to gently guide the reader toward a specific conclusion without stating it as an absolute, undeniable fact. It leaves room for interpretation while strongly suggesting a viewpoint.

Studien weisen darauf hin, dass ausreichend Schlaf wichtig ist.

Er hat mich darauf hingewiesen, dass mein Pass abgelaufen ist.

By mastering 'darauf hinweisen', learners unlock a critical tool for negotiation, clarification, and sophisticated argumentation, moving beyond simple descriptive language into the realm of persuasive and informative discourse.
Using 'darauf hinweisen' correctly requires a solid grasp of German sentence structure, particularly the rules governing separable verbs, pronominal adverbs, and subordinate clauses. The verb 'hinweisen' is separable, meaning that in a standard present or past tense main clause, the prefix 'hin' detaches from the stem 'weisen' and moves to the absolute end of the clause.
Separable Verb Rule
In main clauses, the conjugated verb takes position 2, and the prefix 'hin' goes to the very end of the sentence.

Ich weise darauf hin, dass die Zeit abgelaufen ist.

However, when used with modal verbs (like 'möchten', 'können', 'müssen'), the entire verb 'hinweisen' remains in its infinitive form and is placed at the end of the clause, while the modal verb is conjugated in position two. This is perhaps the most common way you will encounter the phrase in formal settings, as 'Ich möchte darauf hinweisen' (I would like to point out) softens the directness of the statement.
Modal Verb Construction
Modal verb (conjugated) + ... + darauf hinweisen (infinitive at the end).

Wir müssen dringend darauf hinweisen, dass Gefahr besteht.

The most complex part for English speakers is the 'darauf'. In English, we say 'point out THAT...'. In German, prepositional verbs require a placeholder in the main clause if the object is an entire clause. Since 'hinweisen' takes the preposition 'auf', the placeholder becomes 'darauf'. You cannot omit it. The 'darauf' physically sits in the main clause, pointing forward to the 'dass'-clause that follows the comma.

Niemand hat mich darauf hingewiesen, dass das Mikrofon an war.

In the perfect tense (Perfekt), the past participle is 'hingewiesen'. The auxiliary verb is 'haben'. 'Er hat mich darauf hingewiesen.' Notice how 'hin' and 'gewiesen' merge into one word. In subordinate clauses where 'darauf hinweisen' is the main action, the conjugated verb moves to the very end, joining the prefix: '..., weil ich darauf hinweise, dass...'
Perfect Tense Formation
Use 'haben' as the helper verb and 'hingewiesen' at the end of the sentence.

Die Polizei hat darauf hingewiesen, dass die Straße gesperrt ist.

Another common usage is with an infinitive clause (zu + infinitive) instead of a 'dass'-clause. For example, 'Er wies mich darauf hin, die Tür zu schließen' (He pointed out to me to close the door). This is slightly more advanced but highly elegant. The pronoun 'mich' in this case is the accusative object, indicating WHO is being pointed toward the fact. 'Jemanden (Akk) auf etwas (Akk) hinweisen'.

Darf ich Sie kurz darauf hinweisen, dass Ihr Parkticket abgelaufen ist?

Mastering these structural elements ensures your German sounds native, precise, and sophisticated, allowing you to navigate complex communicative tasks with ease.
The phrase 'darauf hinweisen' is omnipresent in the German-speaking world, embedded deeply in the fabric of daily life, official communication, and media. Because it strikes a perfect balance between informative and authoritative, it is the go-to phrase for any situation where attention must be drawn to specific facts, rules, or conditions. One of the most common places you will hear this is on public transportation. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, train conductors and automated station announcements frequently use this phrase to inform passengers of platform changes, delays, or safety regulations.
Public Announcements
It is standard vocabulary for Deutsche Bahn and other transit authorities when communicating with the public.

Wir möchten darauf hinweisen, dass der Zug heute in umgekehrter Wagenreihung verkehrt.

In the corporate world, this phrase is an absolute staple of business German. During meetings, a manager might use it to gently correct a colleague's assumption or to highlight a critical detail in a financial report. It allows professionals to disagree or correct someone without using aggressive language like 'Sie haben unrecht' (You are wrong). Instead, they say, 'Ich möchte darauf hinweisen, dass die Zahlen nicht stimmen' (I would like to point out that the numbers are not correct), which maintains a cooperative atmosphere.
Business Diplomacy
It acts as a linguistic cushion, softening the blow of corrections or contradictory information in professional settings.

Darf ich darauf hinweisen, dass das Budget bereits erschöpft ist?

Customer service is another major domain for this word. If you call a hotline, the automated voice will almost certainly say, 'Wir weisen darauf hin, dass dieses Gespräch zu Schulungszwecken aufgezeichnet wird' (We point out that this conversation is recorded for training purposes). It is a legal necessity to inform customers, and this verb fulfills that legal and informative duty perfectly.
Legal and Formal Notices
Used extensively in terms and conditions (AGB), warning signs, and official bureaucratic correspondence.

Der Veranstalter möchte darauf hinweisen, dass keine Haftung übernommen wird.

In the news and journalism, reporters use it to summarize findings or reference expert opinions. 'Der Experte wies darauf hin, dass...' is a standard way to introduce a quote or a summarized expert analysis. It distances the journalist from the statement while presenting it as a significant point of consideration.

Der Minister hat in seiner Rede mehrfach darauf hingewiesen, dass Reformen nötig sind.

Bitte lassen Sie mich darauf hinweisen, dass dies nur eine Ausnahme ist.

From the bakery warning you about allergens to the university professor outlining exam rules, 'darauf hinweisen' is the universal German tool for ensuring everyone is on the same page, making it an indispensable part of your active vocabulary.
While 'darauf hinweisen' is incredibly useful, it is also a minefield of potential grammatical errors for English speakers. The structure involves several complex German grammar rules intersecting: separable verbs, prepositional objects, pronominal adverbs, and subordinate clauses. The most frequent and glaring mistake learners make is translating the English 'point out that' directly, resulting in the omission of 'darauf'. Learners will often say, 'Ich möchte hinweisen, dass...' This sounds highly unnatural and grammatically incomplete to a native speaker. The verb 'hinweisen' requires the preposition 'auf', and when a clause follows, 'auf' must combine with 'da-' to form 'darauf'.
The Missing 'Darauf'
Never forget the 'darauf' when a 'dass'-clause follows. It is the grammatical bridge connecting the verb to the clause.

FALSCH: Ich weise hin, dass... RICHTIG: Ich weise darauf hin, dass...

Another common mistake involves the separation of the verb. Because 'hinweisen' is separable, learners often forget to put the 'hin' at the end of the main clause in the present tense. They might say, 'Ich hinweise darauf' instead of the correct 'Ich weise darauf hin'. This stems from treating the word as an inseparable unit, which is a common pitfall with German prefix verbs.

Er weist mich immer wieder darauf hin, dass ich zu laut bin.

Case confusion is also rampant. When you point something out TO someone, that person must be in the accusative case (mich, dich, ihn, sie, es, uns, euch, sie/Sie). English speakers often default to the dative case because they think of it as giving information TO someone (like 'jemandem etwas sagen'). Thus, they incorrectly say, 'Ich weise dir darauf hin' instead of the correct 'Ich weise dich darauf hin'.
Accusative vs. Dative
The person being addressed is the direct object of the pointing action, hence Accusative: 'Jemanden auf etwas hinweisen'.

Ich muss dich darauf hinweisen, dass das falsch ist. (Not: dir)

Word order in subordinate clauses also trips up learners. If 'darauf hinweisen' is pushed into a subordinate clause (e.g., after 'weil' or 'obwohl'), the entire verb goes to the end, and the prefix reconnects with the conjugated stem. '..., weil ich darauf hinweise, dass...' Learners often incorrectly write '..., weil ich weise darauf hin, dass...'

Er war wütend, weil sie ihn darauf hingewiesen hat.

Preposition Confusion
Using 'daran' or 'dazu' instead of 'darauf'. The fixed preposition for hinweisen is always 'auf'.

Bitte vergessen Sie nicht, den Kunden darauf hinzuweisen.

By actively practicing the 'darauf + dass' structure, remembering the accusative case for the person, and respecting the separable verb rules, learners can quickly eliminate these common errors and use the phrase with native-like confidence.
The German language is rich in verbs related to communication, showing, and directing attention. While 'darauf hinweisen' is incredibly common, knowing its synonyms and related terms allows for more precise and varied expression. It prevents repetitive language, especially in writing. A very close synonym is 'aufmerksam machen auf' (to draw attention to). This phrase functions similarly but places slightly more emphasis on the psychological state of the listener—making them aware or attentive.
Aufmerksam machen auf
Meaning 'to make aware of'. It is often used interchangeably with 'hinweisen auf', though it feels slightly more proactive in seeking the listener's focus.

Ich möchte Sie darauf aufmerksam machen, dass die Frist abläuft.

Another alternative is 'zeigen' (to show) or 'aufzeigen' (to point out/demonstrate). 'Zeigen' is more literal and physical, often involving a visual element, whereas 'aufzeigen' is used in intellectual or academic contexts to demonstrate a problem or a solution. You wouldn't use 'aufzeigen' for a simple train delay, but you would use it in a thesis to point out a flaw in a theory.
Aufzeigen
To demonstrate or highlight, usually used for complex issues, problems, or perspectives rather than simple facts.

Die Studie zeigt auf, wie wichtig diese Maßnahme ist.

For a more subtle approach, 'andeuten' (to hint at / to imply) is an excellent verb. While 'hinweisen' is direct and explicit, 'andeuten' is indirect. If someone hints at a problem without stating it outright, they are 'andeuten'. This is useful in diplomatic or sensitive interpersonal situations where direct confrontation is avoided.
Andeuten
To hint or imply. It lacks the directness of 'hinweisen' and relies on the listener reading between the lines.

Der Chef hat nur angedeutet, dass es Kündigungen geben könnte.

Then there is 'verweisen auf' (to refer to). This is heavily used in texts, legal documents, and customer service. If a website tells you to look at the FAQ section, it 'verweist auf die FAQ'. It is about directing someone to another source of information rather than stating the information directly.

Für weitere Informationen verweisen wir auf unsere Website.

Man muss deutlich darauf hinweisen, wo der Unterschied liegt.

By understanding the nuances between 'hinweisen', 'aufmerksam machen', 'aufzeigen', 'andeuten', and 'verweisen', you can navigate German discourse with high precision, choosing the exact word that fits the required level of directness, formality, and intent.
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Examples by Level

1

Ich weise darauf hin.

I point it out.

Simple present tense. 'hin' goes to the end.

2

Wir weisen darauf hin, dass Pause ist.

We point out that it is break time.

Using a simple 'dass' clause.

3

Er weist darauf hin.

He points it out.

Third person singular conjugation.

4

Bitte weisen Sie darauf hin.

Please point it out.

Formal imperative form.

5

Sie weisen darauf hin, dass es regnet.

They point out that it is raining.

Plural form with a simple subordinate clause.

6

Ich möchte darauf hinweisen.

I would like to point out.

Using the modal verb 'möchten'.

7

Weist du darauf hin?

Are you pointing it out?

Question structure, verb in position 1.

8

Der Text weist darauf hin.

The text points it out.

Using a non-human subject.

1

Ich möchte darauf hinweisen, dass der Zug Verspätung hat.

I would like to point out that the train is delayed.

Modal verb with a 'dass' clause.

2

Hat er dich darauf hingewiesen?

Did he point it out to you?

Perfect tense question.

3

Wir müssen darauf hinweisen, dass Hunde verboten sind.

We must point out that dogs are forbidden.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

4

Sie hat gestern darauf hingewiesen.

She pointed it out yesterday.

Perfect tense with time word.

5

Ich weise dich darauf hin, weil es wichtig ist.

I point it out to you because it is important.

Accusative object 'dich'.

6

Der Chef wies darauf hin, dass wir pünktlich sein müssen.

The boss pointed out that we must be on time.

Simple past (Präteritum) 'wies'.

7

Können Sie mich bitte darauf hinweisen?

Can you please point it out to me?

Polite request with modal verb.

8

Niemand hat darauf hingewiesen.

Nobody pointed it out.

Negative pronoun 'niemand'.

1

Ich möchte Sie ausdrücklich darauf hinweisen, dass die Frist morgen abläuft.

I would like to explicitly point out to you that the deadline expires tomorrow.

Use of adverb 'ausdrücklich' for emphasis.

2

Der Artikel weist darauf hin, wie wichtig gesunde Ernährung ist.

The article points out how important healthy eating is.

Connecting with a 'wie' clause instead of 'dass'.

3

Obwohl ich ihn darauf hingewiesen habe, hat er den Fehler wieder gemacht.

Although I pointed it out to him, he made the mistake again.

Subordinate clause starting with 'obwohl', verb at the end.

4

Es ist meine Pflicht, Sie darauf hinzuweisen.

It is my duty to point this out to you.

Infinitive clause with 'zu' inside the separated verb: 'hinzuweisen'.

5

Viele Studien weisen darauf hin, dass Stress krank macht.

Many studies indicate that stress makes you sick.

Plural subject in an academic context.

6

Wir wurden nicht rechtzeitig darauf hingewiesen.

We were not pointed out to (informed about) this in time.

Passive voice in the perfect tense.

7

Er wies stolz darauf hin, dass er das Projekt allein beendet hat.

He proudly pointed out that he finished the project alone.

Präteritum with an adverb of manner.

8

Darauf möchte ich jetzt nicht hinweisen.

I don't want to point that out right now.

'Darauf' in position 1 for emphasis.

1

Die Verbraucherzentrale wies nachdrücklich darauf hin, die Vertragsbedingungen genau zu prüfen.

The consumer advice center strongly pointed out to check the contract terms carefully.

Präteritum with an extended infinitive clause.

2

Es muss unbedingt darauf hingewiesen werden, dass diese Maßnahme nur vorübergehend ist.

It must absolutely be pointed out that this measure is only temporary.

Passive voice with a modal verb.

3

Der Redner wies darauf hin, dass die aktuellen Statistiken trügerisch sein könnten.

The speaker pointed out that the current statistics could be deceptive.

Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) in the subordinate clause.

4

Hätte man mich früher darauf hingewiesen, hätte ich anders gehandelt.

Had someone pointed it out to me earlier, I would have acted differently.

Irrealis of the past (Konjunktiv II Vergangenheit).

5

Sämtliche Indizien weisen darauf hin, dass der Täter von innen kam.

All evidence points to the fact that the perpetrator came from inside.

Use of 'Indizien' (evidence) as subject.

6

Ich erlaube mir, Sie darauf hinzuweisen, dass Ihre Zahlung noch aussteht.

I take the liberty of pointing out to you that your payment is still pending.

Highly formal business phrasing 'Ich erlaube mir'.

7

Wie bereits mehrfach darauf hingewiesen wurde, sind Handys hier untersagt.

As has already been pointed out multiple times, cell phones are prohibited here.

Passive voice in a 'wie'-clause.

8

Er versäumte es, seine Kollegen auf die bevorstehende Änderung hinzuweisen.

He neglected to point out the upcoming change to his colleagues.

Using 'auf etwas (Akk) hinweisen' without 'darauf' because a noun follows.

1

Der Autor weist zu Recht darauf hin, dass die bisherige Forschung diesen Aspekt vernachlässigt hat.

The author rightly points out that previous research has neglected this aspect.

Academic register with 'zu Recht' (rightly).

2

Es sei an dieser Stelle darauf hingewiesen, dass die Datenbasis methodische Schwächen aufweist.

It should be pointed out at this point that the database exhibits methodological weaknesses.

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