indicar
verbCEFR B2High frequency
What does “indicar” mean in English?
to indicate, to show
to indicate, to show (los datos/el estudio indica que + indicative — evidence-based inference)
Example sentences
Los últimos datos del INE indican que la brecha salarial entre hombres y mujeres se ha reducido, aunque no ha desaparecido.
The latest INE data indicates that the gender pay gap has narrowed, though it has not disappeared.
Su lenguaje corporal indicaba claramente que no se sentía cómodo con la pregunta que le habían formulado.
His body language clearly indicated that he was not comfortable with the question that had been asked of him.
Esto podría indicar que la relación entre las dos variables no es tan directa como se había supuesto.
This could indicate that the relationship between the two variables is not as direct as had been assumed.
How to use it
Indicar means 'to indicate' or 'to show' — presenting evidence or data as pointing towards a conclusion. It is used to introduce evidence-based claims: 'Los datos indican que…', 'El estudio indica que…'. Pattern: indicar que + indicative (always — the speaker is presenting the fact as real). Note: indicar is neutral and distancing; the speaker attributes the claim to the evidence rather than asserting it personally. This makes it very useful in academic writing for hedging: 'Esto podría indicar que…' (could indicate).
Common mistake
Indicar que always takes indicative in the embedded clause when used as an evidence verb — the data is presented as real. Don't use subjunctive after indicar que (positive, affirmative). The hedged form 'esto podría indicar que…' ('this could indicate that…') is a very common academic strategy for presenting tentative conclusions. Don't confuse indicar (to show, as evidence) with señalar (to point to, to mention — slightly more discourse-oriented).