踪
remains, clue, footprint
Readings
On'yomi
- ソウ
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- あと
Meaning
踪 centers on the physical traces left behind by someone or something: remains, footprints, or clues that show where a person has been.
Most common words using 踪
- 失踪しっそう
disappearance; running away; going missing; absconding
- 危難失踪きなんしっそう
disappearance (longer than one year after an accident or disaster); missing and presumed dead
- 失踪宣告しっそうせんこく
court decision declaring a missing person legally dead
- 失踪者しっそうしゃ
missing person; runaway
- 踪跡そうせき
one's traces; one's tracks; footprints
Study
Etymology
踪 combines 足 (foot) with 宗, which likely contributes the sound. The character expresses the idea of footprints or traces left by feet.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a foot 足, and the right side 宗 looks like a roof over a small altar. Picture a foot leaving a trail of clues and remains leading to a hidden shrine.
Reading mnemonic
For ソウ, imagine following a trail of footprints that leads to a soul (ソウ) of a departed person, leaving only remains behind.