1.
omen; sign; harbinger of something to come
A sign or indication that something is about to happen.
地震の前触れかもしれない。
It might be an omen of an earthquake.
春の前触れを感じる。
I sense the harbingers of spring.
動物の異常な行動は大きな地震の前触れだと言われている。
Unusual animal behavior is said to be a harbinger of a major earthquake.
2.
advance notice; prior notification
Notification or warning given before an event or action.
何の前触れもなく突然現れた。
They appeared suddenly without any warning.
前触れもなく訪ねてくるのはやめてほしい。
I wish you'd stop showing up without any advance notice.
工事の前触れとして、住民に手紙が届いた。
As advance notice of the construction, a letter was delivered to residents.
WORD FORMATION:
前 (before) + 触れ (touching, announcing) → advance announcement/sign
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 前触れなく / 前触れもなく (without warning, suddenly)
- Xの前触れ (a harbinger/sign of X)
- 前触れがある (there are signs/warnings)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 兆し (sign, indication) - more subtle, natural signs
- 前兆 (omen, premonition) - often for significant events
- 前触れ - can be natural signs or deliberate notification
- 予告 (advance notice) - formal, intentional announcement
Related Words
Related:
兆し (sign)