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Kotomora

跡

tracks, mark, print, impression

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes13

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

Explore all words using 跡 →

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.