追踪

• Pinyin: zhuī zōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 追 = 辶 + 丿 + 口 (pursue); 踪 = 足 + 宗 (footprint)

Meaning

To track; to trace; to follow the trail of. To monitor movement or investigate by following clues.

Used for tracking people, animals, packages, or information trails. Common in law enforcement, journalism, logistics, and wildlife research. Implies systematic following of evidence or signals over time.

Examples

1. 警方正在追踪嫌疑人的下落。 Police are tracking the suspect’s whereabouts.
2. 这款软件可以追踪快递的实时位置。 This software can track a package’s location in real time.
3. 记者追踪报道了这起腐败案件。 Reporters followed and reported on this corruption case.

Usage Guide

Context: investigation, technology, journalism

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 科学家通过卫星追踪濒危动物的迁徙路线。(Scientists track the migration routes of endangered animals via satellite.)
• 追踪调查发现，资金流向了海外账户。(The follow-up investigation found that funds flowed to overseas accounts.)

Don't Say

• 追踪我的心情 — use 记录 or 关注 for tracking moods; 追踪 implies following a physical or digital trail

Origin & History

追 (to pursue, to follow) + 踪 (trace, track, footprint)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal