herald
herald — 動詞
1. to show that something important — often something positive — is about to begin;
預示；宣告
顯示重要事情即將開始
to show that something important — often something positive — is about to begin; or to publicly announce or welcome something as it arrives, often with praise or celebration.
For local farmers, the first green shoots herald the end of the cold winter months.
對當地農民來說，第一批嫩芽預示著寒冷的冬季即將結束。
herald + noun phrase (omen-like subject)
World leaders heralded the 2023 peace agreement as a historic step forward.
世界各國領袖將 2023 年的和平協議譽為歷史性的一步。
be heralded as + noun (passive, praising)
The young scientist's discovery was heralded as a breakthrough in cancer research.
這位年輕科學家的發現被譽為癌症研究的重大突破。
A cool breeze from the ocean heralded the approaching storm.
來自海洋的涼爽微風預示著暴風雨即將來臨。
The mayor heralded the new hospital wing as a victory for the whole community.
市長將新醫院大樓譽為整個社區的一大勝利。
- foreshadow
implies something negative or neutral will follow; narrower than 'herald'
- announce
more direct and factual; less poetic and celebratory
- usher in
phrasal verb, more informal, often used for periods or eras
- proclaim
only about public declaration; does not carry the 'sign' meaning
文法句型
herald + noun
be heralded as + noun/adjective
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive structure 'be heralded as [something]' where the object is a positive achievement or development. When used actively, the subject is often a natural sign or event rather than a person.
常見錯誤
herald — 名詞
1. a sign or event that shows something else — often a change or development — is a
預兆；前兆
顯示某事即將發生的徵兆
a sign or event that shows something else — often a change or development — is about to happen.
The sudden drop in temperature was a herald of the coming snowstorm.
氣溫驟降是暴風雪即將來臨的預兆。
herald of + noun (omen pattern)
Many investors saw the falling stock prices as a herald of economic trouble ahead.
許多投資人將股價下跌視為經濟困境即將來臨的前兆。
For the old fisherman, a red sky at dawn was a herald of bad weather.
對老漁夫來說，黎明時分的紅霞是壞天氣的前兆。
Blooming cherry trees along the street are a herald of the warmer days to come.
沿途盛開的櫻花是溫暖日子即將到來的預兆。
- precursor
more formal and clinical; common in scientific writing
- forerunner
similar scope but emphasises temporal order more than signalling
- omen
often carries a supernatural or superstitious tone — stronger than 'herald'
文法句型
herald of + noun
用法筆記
Typically used with 'of' to introduce what follows. The herald is often a natural phenomenon or early indicator, and what it signals may be positive or negative.
2. in past times, a person whose job was to carry official messages, make public an
傳令官；信使
古代傳遞官方訊息的人
in past times, a person whose job was to carry official messages, make public announcements, or deliver news on behalf of a ruler or government.
In medieval times, a herald would announce the king's arrival in the town square.
在中古時期，傳令官會在城鎮廣場宣布國王的到來。
historical context: herald as town announcer
The herald rode through the village calling out the news of the truce.
傳令官騎馬穿過村莊，大聲宣告休戰的消息。
A royal herald carried the message of peace between the two warring kingdoms.
一位皇家傳令官在兩個交戰王國之間傳遞和平的訊息。
When the herald arrived at the castle gates, everyone gathered to hear his news.
當傳令官抵達城堡大門時，所有人都聚集起來聽取他的消息。
- messenger
general modern term; lacks the historical/formality weight
- town crier
specific to English historical context; announces in public streets
- envoy
diplomatic messenger; higher status and more formal
用法筆記
This sense is historical and refers to a specific role in medieval and early modern societies. In modern contexts, 'herald' is only used figuratively (see noun sense 1) or in the names of newspapers (e.g. 'The Herald').