Definition
端倪 is a literary noun meaning 'clue, inkling, first sign' — a subtle indication that something is beginning to happen. It is often used in semi-fixed phrases like 初见端倪 ('the first signs appear') or 稍有端倪 ('to show a slight clue'). In classical Chinese it can also be used as a verb meaning 'to predict', but in modern standard Chinese it is primarily a noun. The word is not common in everyday conversation; it appears more in formal writing or reports.
n.
clueinklingfirst sign (usually of something emerging)
Examples
- 端倪。Shìqing yǐjīng chū jiàn duān ní.The matter has already shown the first signs.
- ，端倪。Cóng zhèxiē jìxiàng zhōng, wǒmen kěyǐ kàn chū yìdiǎn duān ní.From these signs, we can detect a clue.
- 端倪。Zhè jiàn shì de duān ní hái bú tài míngxiǎn.The inkling of this matter is not yet very obvious.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.