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兆头 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
兆头zhàotouomenHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #10486, Very Hard
兆头zhàotouportentHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #10486, Very Hard
兆头zhàotousignHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #10486, Very Hard
zhàotou(zhao4tou5)zhao tou T4
  1. 1omen
  2. 2portent
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March 24, 2026

兆头(兆頭)zhàotou(zhao4tou5)

兆头 refers to an omen or sign that indicates what might happen in the future. It is often used in contexts like fortune-telling or interpreting events as meaningful indications of future outcomes. The term can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the situation.

Strokes11Frequency#10486DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, recognizing兆头 is integral to traditional beliefs about fate and destiny. People often watch for signs in nature or personal experiences to guide their decisions, especially during significant life events like weddings or business ventures.

Memory tip

Imagine a giant '兆' (zhào) sign at the top of a mountain, where you can see many paths leading to different futures. The word '头' (tóu) means 'head' or 'top', so think of it as the 'head' of omens, helping you decide which path to take based on the signs you see.

Meanings of 兆头

zhàotou(zhao4tou5)
1omen
2portent
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About 兆头

兆头Simplified
兆頭Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 兆头

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Podcast: 兆头

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AI study notes for 兆头

Quick Contrast

征兆 (zhēngzhào) — use 兆头 when emphasizing a sign with a more personal or subjective interpretation, while 征兆 is more neutral and objective.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 兆头, as it is somewhat formal and can imply superstition. It's often found in discussions about fate or fortune, so it's best to use it in contexts where such themes are appropriate. Common collocations include 预示兆头 (yù shì zhào tóu - to signify an omen) and 死亡兆头 (sǐ wáng zhào tóu - death omen).

HSK Study Tips

兆头 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, but it can be useful for learners aiming for higher proficiency. Focus on understanding its usage in cultural contexts, as it can deepen comprehension of Chinese literature and folklore.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 兆头 with similar words like 征兆, which can lead to incorrect nuances. For example, saying '我觉得这是一个好兆头' (I think this is a good omen) is correct, but using it in a purely casual context may sound awkward.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 兆头

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Component characters

兆zhàoomen
HSK 76 strokes儿
View full entry
头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry

How to say omen in Chinese

“omen” in Chinese is兆头zhàotou

兆头 refers to an omen or sign that indicates what might happen in the future. It is often used in contexts like fortune-telling or interpreting events as meaningful indications of future outcomes. The term can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the situation.

When to use 兆头

Be cautious when using 兆头, as it is somewhat formal and can imply superstition. It's often found in discussions about fate or fortune, so it's best to use it in contexts where such themes are appropriate. Common collocations include 预示兆头 (yù shì zhào tóu - to signify an omen) and 死亡兆头 (sǐ wáng zhào tóu - death omen).

兆头 or something close to it

征兆 (zhēngzhào) — use 兆头 when emphasizing a sign with a more personal or subjective interpretation, while 征兆 is more neutral and objective.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 兆头 with similar words like 征兆, which can lead to incorrect nuances. For example, saying '我觉得这是一个好兆头' (I think this is a good omen) is correct, but using it in a purely casual context may sound awkward.

Write 兆头

兆
头

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Frequently asked questions about 兆头

No, 兆头 can refer to both positive and negative signs; context is crucial in determining its connotation.

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