Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
跡

跡·trace, ruins

On-yomi
セキ
Kun-yomi
あと

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

13 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
跡あとtrace, mark
遺跡いせきruins, archaeological site
足跡あしあとfootprint
奇跡きせきmiracle

Example sentences

  1. 雪の上に動物の足跡があった。

    ゆきのうえにどうぶつのあしあとがあった。

    There were animal footprints on the snow.

  2. この辺りには古い遺跡が多い。

    このあたりにはふるいいせきがおおい。

    There are many ancient ruins around here.

  3. 彼が助かったのは奇跡だと言われた。

    かれがたすかったのはきせきだといわれた。

    They said it was a miracle that he survived.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 後 where a physical mark is meant — the trace is 跡
  • Reading 遺跡 as いあと

Memory aid

Picture it

A foot (足) that has already passed by — what remains is the mark it left.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5

What does the kanji 跡 mean?