足 跡(あしあと)

あしあと

noun

footprint, footstep, track

1. footprint, footstep

A mark or impression left by a foot on a surface.

雪(ゆき)に足跡(あしあと)がある。

There are footprints in the snow.

砂浜(すなはま)に足跡(あしあと)が残(のこ)っていた。

Footprints were left on the sandy beach.

犯人(はんにん)の足跡(あしあと)が現場(げんば)に残(のこ)されていた。

The criminal's footprints were left at the scene.

泥(どろ)だらけの足跡(あしあと)が玄関(げんかん)から部屋(へや)まで続(つづ)いていた。

Muddy footprints continued from the entrance all the way to the room.

動物(どうぶつ)の足跡(あしあと)をたどっていくと、小(ちい)さな川(かわ)にたどり着(つ)いた。

Following the animal's tracks, I arrived at a small river.

2. track, trace, trail

Evidence of someone's passage or activities; figuratively, one's legacy or accomplishments.

足跡(あしあと)を消(け)す。

To cover one's tracks.

彼(かれ)は歴史(れきし)に大(おお)きな足跡(あしあと)を残(のこ)した。

He left a significant mark on history.

Figurative usage

先人(せんじん)たちの足跡(あしあと)を追(お)って研究(けんきゅう)を進(すす)めた。

I advanced my research by following in the footsteps of my predecessors.

犯人(はんにん)は自分(じぶん)の足跡(あしあと)を消(け)そうとしたが、警察(けいさつ)はすでに証拠(しょうこ)を集(あつ)めていた。

The criminal tried to cover their tracks, but the police had already gathered evidence.

この会社(かいしゃ)の50年(ねん)の足跡(あしあと)をまとめた本(ほん)が出版(しゅっぱん)された。

A book summarizing the company's 50-year history was published.

USAGE: 足跡(あしあと) can be literal (physical footprints) or figurative (legacy, traces of activity).

COMMON PATTERNS:

足跡(あしあと)を残(のこ)す (to leave footprints; to leave a legacy)
足跡(あしあと)を追(お)う (to follow footprints/trail)
足跡(あしあと)を消(け)す (to erase one's tracks)

ALTERNATE READING: Can also be read as そくせき in more formal or literary contexts, particularly when discussing someone's accomplishments or historical legacy.

足取(あしど)り - footsteps, gait; whereabouts
痕跡(こんせき) - trace, evidence

core

Added 2026.1.13 21:42 · Revised 2026.5.30 1:25

04000/04095_ashiato