端倪 (duān ní) — clue, inkling, first sign (usually of something emerging)
Definition
Literary noun meaning the first trace or hint of something emerging — usually something hidden, complex, or still unfolding. Synonymous with 线索 only in the sense of 'clue'; 端倪 emphasizes a faint initial sign, not a developed lead.
noun
clueinklingfirst sign (usually of something emerging)
Examples
- 端倪。Shì qing yǐ jīng chū jiàn duān ní.The matter has already shown the first signs.
- ,端倪。Cóng zhè xiē jì xiàng zhōng, wǒ men kě yǐ kàn chū yì diǎn duān ní.From these signs, we can detect a clue.
- 端倪。Zhè jiàn shì de duān ní hái bú tài míng xiǎn.The inkling of this matter is not yet very obvious.
Appears in
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