蹤

A phono-semantic compound:

足 (foot) — semantic component, indicating steps, movement

宗 (종) — phonetic component, supplying the sound (종 / zōng)

The character depicts marks left by moving feet, hence tracks or traces. The meaning readily extends from physical footprints to any remaining sign of presence.

In the Kangxi Dictionary, only 蹤 is listed, and 踪 is not visible.

Semantic development:

- physical footprints — marks left by walking

- movement record — trail or track

- abstract presence — signs, whereabouts, evidence

踪 is common in descriptive, investigative, and narrative contexts.

Common compounds:

추종 (追踪) — to track; to trail

실종 (失踪) — disappearance; missing person

행적 (行踪) — whereabouts; movements

족종 (足踪) — footsteps, traces of feet

무종 (无踪) — without a trace, vanished

종적 (踪迹 / 蹤跡) — traces; footprints (literary)

Set phrases:

자취를 감추다 (踪을 감추다) — to vanish without a trace

행적을 추적하다 (追踪行踪) — to track movements

Unlike 迹 / 跡 (mark, trace in general), 踪 emphasizes movement-based traces.

Related characters (trace & movement):

跡 / 迹 — trace; mark

足 — foot; step

追 — chase; pursue

尋 — search

徑 — path; track

Among these, 踪 highlights traces created by movement.

Comparison 踪 vs 蹤:

Both characters share the same meaning and reading.

踪 is the simplified form, created by removing the “重” element from 蹤.

蹤 is historically older and visually more complex.

Today, which form is used depends entirely on script tradition (Simplified vs. Traditional vs. Japanese).

Regional usage:

China (Simplified): 踪 is the simplified standard.

Taiwan, Hong Kong: 蹤 is retained as the standard traditional form; 踪 is rare.

Korea: both forms are recognized, but 踪 is the more common modern print form.

Japan: 蹤 is the standard; 踪 is not used. Compounds like 失踪 (shissō, disappearance) are common.