jat1 jip6 zi1 cau1一葉知秋一叶知秋

Jyutpingjat1 jip6 zi1 cau1

Yaleyāt yihp jī chāu

語句

Definition

To anticipate the development or trend of a situation from a tiny sign or a subtle omen.

writtendescriptionsother

How it's used

This idiom is a sophisticated way to describe reading between the lines or spotting a trend before it becomes obvious. It is often used in formal or literary contexts, though educated speakers may use it in conversation to sound more insightful or analytical. It carries a slightly dramatic or philosophical weight, suggesting that the speaker has a keen eye for detail.

Examples

gin3見dou2到keoi5佢gam3咁joeng2樣zou6做，zan1真hai6係jat1一jip6葉zi1知cau1秋aa4呀。

Seeing him act like that, you can really see where things are heading.

le1呢gin2件si6事jat1一jip6葉zi1知cau1秋，nei5你zung6仲m4唔faai3快di1啲zau2走？

This is a sign of what is to come, why haven't you left yet?

Common phrases

jat1一jip6葉zi1知cau1秋ge3嘅zing1徵siu6兆

an omen that reveals the trend

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple prediction, but it specifically requires a small, seemingly insignificant detail to serve as the basis for the conclusion. Do not use it for general predictions based on obvious or large-scale evidence.