痕迹 (hén jì) — trace, mark, vestige | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

痕迹 is a physical or psychological 'mark' left behind — both literal (animal tracks, scratches) and figurative (a lasting impression). Stronger and more concrete than the abstract 迹象 ('sign/indication').

noun

tracemarkvestige

Measure word · 个

Examples

痕迹。
Xuě dì shàng yǒu dòng wù de hén jì.
There are animal tracks in the snow.
痕迹。
Tā de yǎn jiǎng gěi tīng zhòng liú xià le shēn kè de hén jì.
His speech left a deep impression on the audience.
痕迹。
Zhè jiàn shì zài hái zi xīn lǐ liú xià le wú fǎ mó miè de hén jì.
This matter left an indelible mark in the child's heart.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

痕 and 迹 both mean marks or traces, so together they emphasize visible signs.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

疒艮痕

Meaning part形符xíngfú

疒疒nè

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn痕hén

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

痕 pairs 疒 with 艮: 疒 gives the sense, and 艮 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辶Written in full as辵chuòmove

Sound part声符shēngfú

朿

朿cì迹jì

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

迹 pairs 辶, a movement part, with 亦, a sound part; an older form used 朿.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Abstract Concepts 3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words 5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.