跡
tracks, mark, print, impression
Readings
On'yomi
- セキ
Kun'yomi
- あと
Meaning
跡 centers on a visible trace left behind: tracks, marks, prints, or impressions that show where something has been or what happened.
Most common words using 跡
20 of 112- 奇跡きせきN1
miracle; wonder; marvel
- 跡あとN3
trace; tracks; mark; sign
- 遺跡いせきN1
(archeological) remains; ruins; relics
- 追跡ついせきN1
chase; pursuit; tracking; stalking
- 痕跡こんせき
trace; vestige; mark; sign; evidence
- 足跡あしあとN2
footprints
- 軌跡きせき
tire track
- 跡地あとち
former site (of something); site (e.g. of a demolished building)
- 傷跡きずあとN2
scar
- 形跡けいせき
traces; evidence
- 史跡しせき
historic landmark; historic site; historic remains
- 筆跡ひっせき
handwriting
- 城跡しろあと
castle site; ruins of a castle
- 跡継ぎあとつぎN1
heir; inheritor
- 跡形あとかた
trace; vestige; evidence
- 焼け跡やけあと
ruins of a fire; fire-devastated area
- 跡取りあととり
heir; heiress; inheritor; successor
- 航跡こうせき
wake (of a ship or aircraft)
- 聖跡せいせき
holy site
- 定跡じょうせき
standard move
Study
Etymology
跡 combines ⻊ (foot) with 亦 and 足, suggesting a foot leaving a mark or track. The exact historical development of the right side is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a foot ⻊, and the right side looks like a footprint with a heel and toes. Imagine a foot stepping in mud and leaving a clear print behind.
Reading mnemonic
For セキ, picture a detective examining tracks at a crime scene and saying 'I see key evidence': see key -> セキ, and the tracks are the key clue.