跡形(あとかた)

あとかた
noun
trace; vestige; remains
abstract
1. trace; vestige; remains
A remaining sign or evidence that something once existed. Most commonly used in the negative pattern 跡形(あとかた)もない (not a trace remains).
跡形(あとかた)もなく消(き)えた。
It vanished without a trace.
建物(たてもの)は跡形(あとかた)もなく壊(こわ)された。
The building was demolished without a trace.
火事(かじ)のあと、家(いえ)は跡形(あとかた)もなくなっていた。
After the fire, there was nothing left of the house.

Almost exclusively appears in the set phrase 跡形(あとかた)もない or 跡形(あとかた)もなく, meaning "without a trace" or "not a vestige remaining." Rarely used in affirmative contexts. The word emphasizes total disappearance or destruction.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 痕跡(こんせき): trace; evidence — a more formal, scientific term that can be used affirmatively
  • 形跡(けいせき): sign; indication — used for evidence that something occurred, often in investigations
  • 名残(なごり): remnant; vestige — carries a nuance of lingering emotion or nostalgia

Related Words

Compare: 痕跡(こんせき) (trace)
Compare: 形跡(けいせき) (sign)
Compare: 名残(なごり) (remnant)
general
Added 2026.4.29 1:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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