前 兆(ぜんちょう)

ぜんちょう

noun

forewarning, omen, premonition

1. forewarning, omen, premonition, precursor

A sign or event that precedes and indicates something to come. Often implies a more concrete or observable warning sign.

嵐(あらし)の前兆(ぜんちょう)

a forewarning of a storm

それは悲劇(ひげき)の前兆(ぜんちょう)だった。

It was an omen of tragedy.

動物(どうぶつ)の異常(いじょう)な行動(こうどう)は地震(じしん)の前兆(ぜんちょう)かもしれない。

Unusual animal behavior might be a precursor to an earthquake.

Usage: 前兆(ぜんちょう) emphasizes something that comes before (前(ぜん)) and signals (兆(ちょう)) what is to follow. Often used for natural phenomena or significant events.

Common collocations

前兆(ぜんちょう)がある/ない (there is/isn't a forewarning)
前兆(ぜんちょう)現象(げんしょう) (precursor phenomenon)
病気(びょうき)/災害(さいがい)の前兆(ぜんちょう) (precursor of illness/disaster)

Related words

予兆(よちょう) (omen - slightly more abstract/intuitive)
兆候(ちょうこう) (symptom, indication - more clinical)
前触(まえぶ)れ (harbinger, foreshadowing)

Related Words

Synonym: 予兆(よちょう) (omen (more abstract))

Synonym: 兆候(ちょうこう) (symptom, sign (clinical))

Synonym: 前触(まえぶ)れ (harbinger)

Synonym: 兆(きざ)し (sign, first indication)

Compare: 凶兆(きょうちょう) (bad omen)

general

Added 2026.1.31 19:45 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09000/09118_zenchou