indicate

Compared meaning: to show or suggest something is true (verb).

比较义项：表明、显示（某种迹象表明某事）（动词）。

• indicate 本词

  More formal and neutral; takes a direct object with no preposition, and is common in reports, data, or factual statements.

  语气更正式、客观；后面可直接接宾语，不需要介词，常用于报告、数据或事实陈述中。

  The test results indicate a mild infection, so the doctor prescribed antibiotics.

  检测结果表明是轻度感染，因此医生开了抗生素。

• point

  Usually followed by the preposition to or toward; more casual, often used when clues or evidence lead to a conclusion rather than stating a fact outright.

  通常要搭配介词 to 或 toward；语气更随意，常用于线索或证据引向某个结论，而不是直接陈述事实。

  Everything points to a mistake in the accounting, not fraud.

  一切迹象都指向是记账出了错，而不是欺诈。

Indicate and point both mean to show that something is true. Indicate is more formal and neutral, taking a direct object with no preposition. Point is more casual, usually followed by 'to' or 'toward', often used when evidence leads to a conclusion.

这两个词都可以表示“迹象表明某事”，但用法和语气略有不同：indicate 更正式、客观，可直接接宾语；point 通常要搭配介词 to／toward，语气更口语化，多用于由线索或证据推出结论。这里不比较 point 表示“（用手指）指”或名词“要点、得分”等其他意义。