痕跡(こんせき)

こんせき
noun
trace, vestige, remnant
writtenabstract
1. trace, vestige, remnant
A mark, sign, or evidence left behind showing that something existed or happened in the past.
犯人(はんにん)の痕跡(こんせき)を探(さが)す。
To search for traces of the perpetrator.
古代(こだい)文明(ぶんめい)の痕跡(こんせき)が発見(はっけん)された。
Vestiges of an ancient civilization were discovered.
火事(かじ)の痕跡(こんせき)は残(のこ)っていたが、原因(げんいん)はまだ特定(とくてい)されていない。
Traces of the fire remained, but the cause has not yet been identified.

Usage

Used in investigative, archaeological, scientific, and literary contexts. Often describes physical evidence or historical remains.

Common collocations

Similar words

跡(あと) is more general and everyday. 痕跡(こんせき) sounds more formal and is used in written or academic language.

Related Words

Synonym: 跡(あと) (trace, mark (everyday))
Related: 足跡(あしあと) (footprints; traces of someone's passage)
Compare: 跡形(あとかた) (trace)
Compare: 歩跡(ほせき) (footprints)
general
Added 2026.2.11 21:59 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
10500/10924_konseki