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)
general
Added 2026.1.31 19:45
09000/09118_zenchou