跟踪

• Pinyin: gēn zōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 跟 = 足 + 艮 (follow on foot); 踪 = 足 + 宗 (trace, track)

Meaning

To track; to follow; to monitor. Maintaining continuous observation of a person, situation, or data over time.

Used for law enforcement surveillance, journalistic investigation, medical follow-up, and data analytics. The meaning can be neutral or sinister depending on context.

Examples

1. 警方对嫌疑人实施了跟踪监视。 The police tracked and kept the suspect under surveillance.
2. 研究人员对患者进行了长期跟踪观察。 The researchers conducted long-term follow-up monitoring of the patients.
3. 记者对这一事件进行了深入跟踪报道。 The reporters provided in-depth follow-up coverage of the incident.

Usage Guide

Context: law enforcement, research, journalism, technology

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 系统会自动跟踪用户的行为数据。(The system automatically tracks user behaviour data.)
• 医生建议对这名患者进行跟踪治疗。(The doctor recommended continuous follow-up treatment for this patient.)

Don't Say

• 我在跟踪她 without context — this can imply criminal stalking; add a professional purpose or use 监测 for neutral monitoring

Origin & History

跟 (follow) + 踪 (track/trace)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal