兆し・萌し|きざしkizashi[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounsign; indication; omen; symptom
   その建物たてものは老朽化ろうきゅうかの兆きざしを見みせている。↗

   The building exhibits signs of dilapidation.

• Synonym兆候ちょうこうNeutralObservable signs, often in medical or economic contexts, as in 「回復の兆候」. 「兆し」 carries a more literary feel.
• Synonym前兆ぜんちょうNeutralA sign that something is about to happen, as in 「地震の前兆」「風邪の前兆」. 「兆し」 focuses on the first budding stirrings of a change.
• SynonymサインNeutralA loanword for signals and indications, but also for signatures. 「兆し」 focuses on the budding signs of something beginning.
• Synonym気配けはいNeutralA presence or movement sensed faintly rather than clearly observed. 「兆し」 focuses on something about to begin.
• Synonym予兆よちょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for an omen of something to come, as in 「地震の予兆」. 「兆し」 stresses the first stirrings of a change.
• SynonymオーメンNeutralA loanword for an omen, usually an ill one; uncommon in daily life. 「兆し」 is more neutral.
• Related現れあらわれNeutralSomething inner showing itself outwardly. 「兆し」 focuses on the first stirrings of what is about to begin.
• Related徴しるしWrittenWritten/formal prose for a sign or omen, and also for a visible effect or result, as of a remedy or prayer; rare.
• Related先触れさきぶれWrittenAdvance notice of something, or a portent of it. 「兆し」 focuses on the budding signs of something beginning.
• Related幸先さいさきNeutralA sign at the very start of something, usually a good one, as in 「幸先がいい」.
• Related気色けしきWrittenWritten/formal prose; read けしき, it means signs or a person's expression. 「兆し」 focuses on the first stirrings of a change.
• Related気振りけぶりWrittenWritten/formal prose for signs or the first hints of something; rare.

Use 「兆し」 for the first stirrings of something beginning, as in 「春の兆し」「悪化の兆し」. For observable signs, often medical or economic, pick 「兆候」; for signs before an event, 「前兆」; for a good sign at the outset, 「幸先」; for a faint sensed presence, 「気配」. 「予兆」「先触れ」「気色」 are written/formal prose; 「徴」「気振り」 are rare written words; 「オーメン」 is a rare loanword for omens, often ill.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 前触まえぶれ。兆候ちょうこう。