der  Index

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔɪndɛks/

📖 What does "der Index" mean?

Der Index (plural: die Indizes or die Indices) is a versatile German noun with several main meanings:

• Directory/Register: An ordered list, often alphabetical or numerical, that helps find information quickly. Typically found at the end of a book (Sachindex, Stichwortindex - subject index, keyword index) or in databases.
• Indicator/Measure: A statistical value that measures changes (often economic) over time. Well-known examples include the Aktienindex (stock index, e.g., DAX), the Preisindex (price index), or the Body-Mass-Index (BMI).
• Index finger: In anatomy, the index finger is sometimes called the Index (from Latin "indicare" - to point). However, this meaning is less common in German than the others.

🚨 Attention: Although the word comes from Latin, the article in German is masculine: der Index.

🧐 Grammar of "der Index" in Detail

The noun "der Index" is masculine. Declension can be a bit tricky as there are two common plural forms: "Indizes" (Germanized) and "Indices" (Latin).

Example Sentences

• Im Index des Buches fand ich das gesuchte Stichwort schnell. (In the book's index, I quickly found the keyword I was looking for.)
• Der Aktienindex fiel heute um mehrere Punkte. (The stock index fell by several points today.)
• Wirtschaftswissenschaftler beobachten die Entwicklung verschiedener Preisindizes genau. (Economists closely monitor the development of various price indices.)
• Bitte erstellen Sie einen alphabetischen Index aller erwähnten Autoren. (Please create an alphabetical index of all mentioned authors.)

💡 How to use "der Index"?

The usage of "der Index" strongly depends on the context:

• In academic/library contexts: Refers to directories in books, catalogs, or databases (Sachindex, Autorenindex, Stichwortverzeichnis).
• In economics and finance: Denotes key figures for measuring developments (Aktienindex, Preisindex, Konsumklimaindex). The plural form "Indizes" is very common here.
• In mathematics/computer science: Can denote a number or variable indicating the position of an element in a sequence or matrix (e.g., the index i in a_i).
• Risk of confusion: Do not confuse with "die Indizien" (plural of "das Indiz" = clue, piece of evidence).

Generally, "der Index" always describes some kind of ordered reference or a measurement value that points to or measures something else.

🧠 Mnemonics for Index

How to remember "der Index"?

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Zeigefinger (the index finger - less common meaning, but grammatically masculine!), which points (indicates) to the important list in the book. Or: Der Boss (masculine) needs der Index to understand the key figures.

Meaning Mnemonic: An index INforms and DEX (sounds like 'directs' or points) you to information, whether it's a page number or an economic trend.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for Index

Similar but different words:

• Das Indiz (plural: die Indizien): clue, indication, piece of evidence. Has nothing to do with a directory! ⚠️

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Buch geweint?
(Why did the book cry?)

Weil es so viele Probleme hatte, aber der Index nur darauf gezeigt hat, wo sie stehen!
(Because it had so many problems, but the index just pointed out where they were!)

✍️ Poem about the Index

Am Ende vom Wälzer, klug und fein,
(At the end of the tome, clever and fine,)
steht der Index, niemals allein.
(stands the index, never alone.)
Er zeigt dir schnell, auf welcher Seit'
(It quickly shows you on which page)
das Wissen wartet, schon bereit.
(the knowledge waits, already prepared.)

Ob Zahl, ob Name, ob Begriff,
(Whether number, name, or term,)
mit ihm hast du alles im Griff.
(with it, you have everything under control.)
Der Aktienmarkt, mal hoch, mal tief,
(The stock market, sometimes high, sometimes low,)
im Index steht's, ganz objektiv.
(it's in the index, quite objectively.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich zeige dir viel.
(I have no voice, yet I show you much.)
Ich ordne Wissen und bin oft das Ziel.
(I organize knowledge and am often the goal.)
Mal bin ich eine Liste, mal eine Zahl im Trend.
(Sometimes I'm a list, sometimes a trending number.)
Am Buchende oder in der Wirtschaft werd' ich oft genannt.
(At the book's end or in economics, I'm often mentioned.)

Wer bin ich? / Who am I?

Lösung / Answer: der Index

ℹ️ Other Information

Etymology: The word "Index" comes directly from Latin, where "index" (genitive: "indicis") means "indicator," "forefinger," or also "list," "register." It derives from the verb "indicare," meaning "to point out" or "to indicate."

Word Formations (Wortbildungen): There are many compound words with "Index" in German, e.g.:

• Preisindex (price index)
• Aktienindex (stock index)
• Sachindex (subject index)
• Autorenindex (author index)
• Body-Mass-Index (BMI)
• Verbraucherpreisindex (consumer price index)
• Indexmiete (indexed rent)
• indexieren (verb: to index something)