Japanese word

足跡

Pronunciation

Romajiashiato

Meaning

  • nounfootprint

Example

雪の上に足跡があります。yuki no ue ni ashi ato ga a ri ma su

There are footprints in the snow.

Illustration for 足跡 (footprint)

More examples

ぬれた足跡が廊下に続いています。nu re ta ashi ato ga rō ka ni tsuzu i te i ma su

Wet footprints lead down the hallway.

Core concept

Centers on a mark that remains after a person, animal, or activity has passed, whether it is visible on the ground or remembered through its effects.

Common phrases

  • 足跡を残すashi ato o noko su

    leave footprints

  • 足跡をたどるashi ato o ta do ru

    trace footprints

  • 足跡を消すashi ato o ke su

    erase footprints

Similar words

踏み跡fumiato: A visible mark made by a foot on the ground or another surface.
痕跡konseki: A sign that remains after a person, event, or activity has passed.
跡ato: A mark or remnant showing that something was once present.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物が通ったあとに足の形として残るもの。また、その人や物が去ったあとに残した影響や証拠。hito ya dō butsu ga kayo tta a to ni ashi no katachi to shi te noko ru mo no ma ta so no hito ya mono ga sa tta a to ni noko shi ta ei kyō ya shō ko

Word origin

Combines 足 (ashi, "foot") and 跡 (ato, "mark left behind"), forming a word for a mark or sign left by something that has passed.

Usage tips

  • In modern Japanese, 足跡 (ashiato) often describes a person's lasting achievements, so a historical figure can leave 足跡 in a field without leaving physical tracks.

Other meanings

  • tracenoun
  • legacynoun

Word lists with this word