预兆

• Pinyin: yù zhào
• Hanzi breakdown: 预 = 予 + 页 (beforehand); 兆 = 兆 (trillion/omen)

Meaning

Omen; sign; harbinger. As a verb, to foreshadow or presage.

Refers to signs that indicate future events, often used for natural phenomena, health symptoms, or social/economic indicators. Can be positive or negative depending on context.

Examples

1. 地震前常有一些自然界的预兆。 There are often certain signs in nature before an earthquake.
2. 股市的波动预兆着经济形势的变化。 Stock market volatility can signal changes in the economic outlook.
3. 头痛可能是某些疾病的预兆。 A headache can be a sign of certain illnesses.

Usage Guide

Context: predictions, science, health

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 乌云密布是暴风雨的预兆。(Dark clouds gathering are a sign of an approaching storm.)
• 这些迹象预兆着市场即将复苏。(These signs foreshadow an imminent market recovery.)

Don't Say

• 我预兆明天去商店 — 预兆 means omen/sign, not plan; use 计划 or 打算 for plans

Origin & History

预 (beforehand) + 兆 (sign/omen)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal