1.
traces; evidence; signs; vestiges
Remaining signs or evidence that something happened or existed. Often used when examining a scene or situation for clues about what occurred.
争った形跡がある。
There are signs of a struggle.
誰かが侵入した形跡は見つからなかった。
No evidence of anyone breaking in was found.
部屋には人が住んでいた形跡が残っていたが、持ち主はすでにいなかった。
Traces of someone having lived in the room remained, but the occupant was already gone.
USAGE:
A compound of 形 (form, shape) + 跡 (traces, marks). Often used in the pattern ～した形跡がある (there are signs that...) or ～した形跡はない (there are no signs that...).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 形跡がある (there are traces/evidence)
- 形跡が残る (traces remain)
- 形跡が見つかる (evidence is found)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 痕跡: traces — similar meaning but often implies physical marks or remains
- 証拠: evidence — more concrete proof, often used in legal contexts