Definitions
(noun)
omen; sign
(verb)
to foretell; to predict
(numeral)
trillion; mega-; tera-
Etymology
Originally a pictograph of two people escaping a flood. Based on the original meaning "escape", now written as 逃. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
About
The character 兆 originated from graphical representations of the cracks formed on tortoise shells or animal bones during divination rituals, symbolizing the omens derived from such patterns. Its structure is pictographic, designed to evoke the branching lines of these fissures, and it initially conveyed the core meaning of a sign or portent. From this primary sense, the character's usage broadened to encompass the related verb meaning to foretell or to indicate. Later, in mathematical and commercial contexts, 兆 was adopted as a unit denoting vast numbers, specifically representing either a million or a trillion based on differing conventions. Additionally, this character functions as a phonetic element in formed characters like 挑 and 跳, where it indicates pronunciation alongside a semantic radical.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是一个好兆头。
电脑有一兆内存。
兆亿人民庆祝国庆。
地震前常有征兆。
这款手机的网速达到百兆。
经济显示兆级增长趋势。
兆伏高压电需谨慎处理。
数据分析预兆市场将繁荣。