foretaste
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foretaste
A first, often small impression of something that will happen in the future on a larger scale or in full. This can refer to both positive and negative experiences.
Der Trailer zum Film gab einen guten Vorgeschmack auf die spektakulären Actionszenen.
The trailer for the film gave a good foretaste of the spectacular action scenes.
'Vorgeschmack' is made up of 'vor' (before) and 'Geschmack' (taste). So it is literally a 'taste that you get beforehand' and is used figuratively for a first impression.
Die erste warme Frühlingssonne war ein Vorgeschmack auf den Sommer.
The first warm spring sunshine was a foretaste of summer.
The word is almost always used with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative to say what you are getting a first impression of: 'ein Vorgeschmack auf etwas' (a foretaste of something).
Die Ausstellung bietet einen Vorgeschmack auf die Kunst der nächsten Generation.
The exhibition offers a foretaste of the art of the next generation.
Common verbs used with 'Vorgeschmack' are 'geben' (to give), 'bekommen' (to get), or 'erhalten' (to receive). It is also often described more precisely with adjectives like 'klein' (small) or 'bitter' (bitter).
Der kurze Stromausfall gab uns einen Vorgeschmack auf einen Winter ohne Heizung.
The brief power outage gave us a foretaste of a winter without heating.
sign / omen
A Vorzeichen is an indication that something might happen later without itself being part of that event. A Vorgeschmack, on the other hand, already provides a first small impression of what is to come. Use Vorzeichen for an interpretation or warning, and Vorgeschmack for a first experience.
Der kurze Probelauf war ein Vorgeschmack auf das große Konzert.
The brief rehearsal was a foretaste of the big concert.
Die dunklen Wolken waren ein Vorzeichen für den kommenden Sturm.
The dark clouds were a sign of the approaching storm.
