'Indicate' in a Spanish Sentence | Correct Usage Examples

In Spanish, “indicate” often maps to indicar, señalar, or mostrar, chosen by what you’re pointing to and your tone.

English packs a lot into the verb “indicate.” Spanish doesn’t. To say “indicate” naturally, you first decide what the sentence is doing, then pick the Spanish verb and pattern that matches that job. Do that, and your writing stops sounding like a word-by-word translation.

This article gives you a simple way to choose between indicar, señalar, mostrar, and a few close options, plus ready-to-use sentence patterns for school, work, and exams.

Why English “Indicate” Trips Learners Up

In English, “indicate” can mean “point,” “show on a screen,” “suggest,” or “state what something means.” Those are not the same move in Spanish. If you grab one translation and use it everywhere, the sentence often feels stiff or even changes meaning.

Common Meanings Hidden Inside One Verb

Before you write in Spanish, name the meaning you need. Here are the big buckets people use in class and in everyday writing:

Pointing to something: with a finger, arrow, sign, label, or reference in a text.
Showing a result: a device, chart, reading, score, or measurement.
Giving a clue: a symptom, behavior, tone, or detail that suggests something.
Stating what something says: the content of a notice, rule, direction, or instruction.

Once you pick the bucket, Spanish becomes easier. You’re no longer hunting for “the” translation. You’re matching meaning to form.

‘Indicate’ in a Spanish Sentence For Essays, Emails, And Tests

If you need a safe default in formal writing, start with indicar. It works well for “state,” “show,” and “point out,” especially with facts, results, or instructions. Still, indicar isn’t the only natural choice, so use the simple checks below.

Use Indicar When A Source States Or Shows Something

Indicar fits signs, rules, directions, and data. It’s common in academic Spanish and reports.

Sign or notice:El letrero indica la salida. (The sign indicates the exit.)
Instruction:El formulario indica cómo completar la solicitud. (The form indicates how to fill out the application.)
Data:Los resultados indican una mejora. (The results indicate an improvement.)

Use Señalar When Someone Points Or Calls Attention

Señalar often feels more physical or direct. It can mean “point at” and also “point out” in writing, like calling attention to a detail.

Señaló el error en la segunda línea. (He pointed out the error on the second line.)
La flecha señala la entrada principal. (The arrow points to the main entrance.)

Use Mostrar Or Marcar When A Display Gives A Reading

For screens, meters, dashboards, and graphs, Spanish often uses verbs that sound like “show” or “mark.”

El termómetro marca 38 °C. (The thermometer indicates 38°C.)
La pantalla muestra un mensaje de error. (The screen indicates an error message.)

Use Sugerir Or Insinuar When You Mean “Hint”

English “indicate” often means “suggest” without stating directly. In Spanish, sugerir is neutral, while insinuar can sound sharper, like implying something with attitude.

Sus palabras sugieren que no está de acuerdo. (His words indicate that he disagrees.)
El comentario insinúa una crítica. (The comment indicates a criticism.)

Sentence Patterns That Sound Natural

Once you pick the verb, you still need the right shape of sentence. These patterns show up again and again in essays, emails, and reading passages.

Indicar + Noun

Use this when a thing states a fact or points to an item.

El mapa indica las rutas más cortas. (The map indicates the shortest routes.)

Indicar que + Clause

This is one of the most common academic patterns. In positive statements, the verb after que often stays in the indicative.

Los datos indican que la tasa bajó en mayo. (The data indicate that the rate dropped in May.)

When Subjunctive Shows Up After Indicar que

Negation, doubt, or uncertainty can pull the next verb into the subjunctive.

No hay pruebas que indiquen que sea cierto. (There’s no proof indicating it’s true.)

Indicarle + Person + que

Use this when someone gives directions or tells another person what to do.

La profesora nos indicó que entregáramos el trabajo el viernes. (The teacher indicated that we should turn in the assignment on Friday.)

Señalar + Direct Object Or que

Señalar works well when you’re calling attention to a detail in a text.

El autor señala que el cambio fue gradual. (The author points out that the change was gradual.)

Mostrar + Result

Use this when an image, table, chart, or device gives a reading.

El gráfico muestra un aumento en las ventas. (The chart indicates an increase in sales.)

Simple Match Table For Real Writing

When you’re under time pressure, match the English intent to the Spanish move. Use the sample sentences as templates and swap in your own nouns.

What “Indicate” Means Here	Spanish Choice	Sample Sentence
A sign states a direction	indicar	El aviso indica la salida de emergencia.
A map points to a place	indicar / señalar	El mapa señala el punto de encuentro.
An arrow points at something	señalar	La flecha señala la puerta correcta.
A teacher gives directions	indicarle a alguien que	Nos indicó que leyéramos el capítulo tres.
A chart shows a trend	mostrar	La tabla muestra una caída en enero.
A device gives a reading	marcar	El medidor marca 120.
Evidence points to a conclusion	indicar	Las pruebas indican que hubo un error.
A detail hints at a feeling	sugerir	Su tono sugiere cansancio.
A comment implies criticism	insinuar	La frase insinúa una queja.

Tense And Mood Choices You’ll See Often

Many “indicate” sentences report findings. That pushes you toward past tenses in Spanish, especially in lab reports, history writing, and reading passages.

Preterite Vs Imperfect With Indicar

Preterite for a completed result: El informe indicó un cambio en 2020.
Imperfect for background or repeated readings: El sensor indicaba fallas cada noche.

Subjunctive Triggers Around “Indicate” Ideas

You often see the subjunctive when the sentence frames the idea as uncertain, missing, or denied.

No veo nada que indique que sea peligroso. (I don’t see anything indicating it’s dangerous.)
Buscan señales que indiquen que funcione. (They’re looking for signs indicating it works.)

Mini Table Of Ready Patterns To Copy

These patterns handle most school and workplace writing where “indicate” shows up. Swap in your subject and your detail, and you’re set.

Pattern	When It Fits	Model Sentence
El/La + noun + indica + noun	Signs, rules, labels, directions	La etiqueta indica el tamaño.
Los/Las + results + indican que + indicative	Reporting findings as facts	Los datos indican que subió la presión.
No hay + proof + que indique(n) que + subjunctive	Missing proof or denial	No hay evidencia que indique que sea real.
Person + señala + noun	Pointing out a detail	El lector señala una contradicción.
La + screen/chart + muestra + result	Visuals or displays	La pantalla muestra una alerta.
Device + marca + number	Measurements and readings	El reloj marca las ocho.

Small Choices That Sharpen Meaning

A good verb is most of the work, then the small choices finish the job. In Spanish writing, readers expect the subject to be clear: a sign, a chart, a rule, a person, or a set of results.

Pick A Concrete Subject

Try to avoid empty subjects like esto or eso when you can name the source. It reads cleaner and keeps your verb choice easy.

Esto indica que hay un problema. → El informe indica que hay un problema.
Eso indica un cambio. → La tabla indica un cambio.

Watch The Preposition After indicar

In modern Spanish, the clean pattern is indicar que for “indicate that.” Avoid indicar de que in careful writing.

Los resultados indican que la muestra estaba contaminada.

Use según When You’re Reporting A Source

If you’re summarizing a reading or citing a report, según can frame the sentence without repeating “indicate” every time.

Según el artículo, las cifras bajaron en abril.

If you stick to clear subjects and the que pattern, your sentences stay direct, and the reader won’t stumble over an odd translation.

Common Slip-Ups And Easy Fixes

These are the mistakes that pop up most in learner writing. The fix is usually one small swap.

Using indicar for a physical point: If you mean a finger, arrow, or gesture, try señalar.
Using mostrar for a written rule: Signs and instructions often sound cleaner with indicar.
Forgetting the person with directions: When someone tells someone else what to do, indicarle a alguien que is a strong fit.
Skipping mood after a negative frame: With phrases like no hay or no veo, the next verb often shifts to the subjunctive.
Overusing one verb in every sentence: Mix in señalar, mostrar, or marcar when the meaning calls for it.

Practice: Turn English Into Natural Spanish

Try these, then check the model answers. If your verb choice matches the meaning, you’re doing it right.

“The sign indicates the bathroom.”
El letrero indica el baño.
“The arrow indicates the correct button.”
La flecha señala el botón correcto.
“The data indicate that the price fell.”
Los datos indican que el precio bajó.
“The screen indicates an error.”
La pantalla muestra un error.
“The thermometer indicates 39°C.”
El termómetro marca 39 °C.
“His tone indicates impatience.”
Su tono sugiere impaciencia.
“There is no evidence indicating that it’s true.”
No hay evidencia que indique que sea cierto.
“She indicated to us that we should start.”
Nos indicó que empezáramos.

Self-Check Before You Hit Submit

Read your sentence and name the job the verb is doing. If it’s a sign, rule, or result, indicar often fits. If it’s a gesture or arrow, switch to señalar. If a screen or graph gives a reading, pick mostrar or marcar. Then scan for negation like no hay, since the next verb often flips to the subjunctive.

‘Indicate’ in a Spanish Sentence | Correct Usage Examples