noun HSK 5
Traditional 筆跡
handwriting · writing style · traces of a pen

Meaning

笔迹 refers to a person's distinctive handwriting or the physical marks left by writing instruments. It's commonly used in contexts involving handwriting analysis, identification, or simply describing someone's characteristic way of writing.

Usage

This word is frequently used in formal contexts like forensics, document verification, and education. Native speakers often use it when commenting on the legibility or beauty of someone's handwriting, or when identifying who wrote something based on their writing style. It can refer to both the aesthetic quality and the identifying characteristics of handwriting.

Examples

  1. 01
    这份文件上的笔迹和他平时的笔迹完全不同。
    Zhè fèn wén jiàn shàng de píng shí de wán quán tóng.
    The handwriting on this document is completely different from his usual handwriting.
  2. 02
    警方正在对嫌疑人的笔迹进行鉴定。
    Jǐng fāng zhèng zài duì xián rén de jìn xíng jiàn dìng.
    The police are conducting a handwriting analysis on the suspect's writing.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 笔迹鉴定
    jiàn dìng
    handwriting analysis/authentication
  • 笔迹潦草
    liáo cǎo
    sloppy handwriting
  • 笔迹工整
    gōng zhěng
    neat handwriting
  • 辨认笔迹
    biàn rèn
    to identify handwriting

Origin

The word combines 笔 (pen/brush) with 迹 (trace/mark), literally meaning 'pen traces.' This straightforward compound reflects the physical marks left by writing implements.

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