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noun HSK 5
Traditional 蹤跡
zōng jì
trace · track · trail · whereabouts

Meaning

踪迹 refers to physical traces, tracks, or signs left behind by someone or something, or to a person's whereabouts. It commonly appears in contexts involving searching for someone, tracking movements, or finding evidence of past presence.

Usage

This word is frequently used in detective stories, news reports, and formal writing. It often appears with verbs like 留下 (to leave behind), 发现 (to discover), or 消失 (to disappear). The phrase 不见踪迹 (no trace to be found) is particularly common. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to everyday speech.

Examples

  1. 01
    警察在现场发现了嫌疑人的踪迹。
    Jǐng chá zài xiàn chǎng fā xiàn le xián yí rén de zōng jì.
    The police discovered traces of the suspect at the scene.
  2. 02
    他离开家以后就不见踪迹了。
    Tā lí kāi jiā yǐ hòu jiù bú jiàn zōng jì le.
    After he left home, there was no trace of him.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 留下踪迹
    liú xià zōng jì
    to leave a trace
  • 消失踪迹
    xiāo shī zōng jì
    to vanish without a trace
  • 不见踪迹
    bú jiàn zōng jì
    no trace to be found
  • 发现踪迹
    fā xiàn zōng jì
    to discover traces

Origin

Both characters relate to traces or marks. 踪 contains the foot radical (足), originally referring to footprints, while 迹 also means traces or marks left behind. Together they form a compound emphasizing the concept of tracks or evidence of passage.

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