1.
footprint, footstep
A mark or impression left by a foot on a surface.
雪に足跡がある。
There are footprints in the snow.
砂浜に足跡が残っていた。
Footprints were left on the sandy beach.
犯人の足跡が現場に残されていた。
The criminal's footprints were left at the scene.
泥だらけの足跡が玄関から部屋まで続いていた。
Muddy footprints continued from the entrance all the way to the room.
動物の足跡をたどっていくと、小さな川にたどり着いた。
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.
足跡を消す。
To cover one's tracks.
彼は歴史に大きな足跡を残した。
He left a significant mark on history.
Figurative usage
先人たちの足跡を追って研究を進めた。
I advanced my research by following in the footsteps of my predecessors.
犯人は自分の足跡を消そうとしたが、警察はすでに証拠を集めていた。
The criminal tried to cover their tracks, but the police had already gathered evidence.
この会社の50年の足跡をまとめた本が出版された。
A book summarizing the company's 50-year history was published.
USAGE: 足跡 can be literal (physical footprints) or figurative (legacy, traces of activity).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 足跡を残す (to leave footprints; to leave a legacy)
- 足跡を追う (to follow footprints/trail)
- 足跡を消す (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.
RELATED:
- 足取り - footsteps, gait; whereabouts
- 痕跡 - trace, evidence