French Conversation · Level 63
76 words
French word
trace
Pronunciation
IPA/tʁas/
Meaning
- feminine nountrack
Example
Il n'y a aucune trace de pas dans la neige.
There are no tracks in the snow at all.
More examples
La pluie a effacé les traces sur le chemin.
The rain erased the traces on the path.
Core concept
A small remaining sign that lets a past action or presence be detected.
Common phrases
des traces de pas
footprints
laisser une trace
leave a trace
une trace visible
a visible trace
Similar words
marque: A visible mark on a surface or in a place.
empreinte: A shape pressed into something, or a footprint or fingerprint left behind.
signe: A visible sign that something has happened.
indice: A small piece of evidence that helps reveal a fact or cause.
Definition in French
Signe souvent visible et parfois ténu qui témoigne d'une action passée ou d'une présence.
Word origin
The noun trace developed in French alongside tracer, whose older forms are linked to Latin trahere, 'to draw or drag', for something drawn or left across a surface.
Usage tips
- Laisser des traces can mean leaving lasting effects or consequences, not only leaving visible marks.