字迹

• Pinyin: zì jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 字 = 宀 + 子 (written character); 迹 = 辶 + 亦 simplified (trace/mark)

Meaning

Handwriting; the traces or marks made by writing characters. Refers specifically to the appearance and quality of written characters.

Used to assess or describe the legibility, style, and quality of someone's handwriting. Common in legal, forensic, archival, and educational contexts. 字迹潦草 (scrawly handwriting) and 字迹工整 (neat handwriting) are standard collocations.

Examples

1. 这份古老的文献字迹清晰，保存极为完好。 The handwriting in this ancient document is clear and extremely well preserved.
2. 鉴定专家通过字迹分析确认了遗嘱的真实性。 The forensic expert confirmed the will's authenticity through handwriting analysis.
3. 她的字迹工整秀丽，令阅卷老师印象深刻。 Her handwriting was neat and elegant, leaving a strong impression on the grader.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, forensic, education, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这封信的字迹与他平日的书写风格完全吻合，可以认定是本人所书。(The handwriting in this letter matches his usual writing style exactly, confirming it was written by him personally.)
• 随着数字化时代的到来，越来越多的人字迹变得潦草甚至难以辨认。(With the arrival of the digital age, more and more people's handwriting has become scrawly or even illegible.)

Don't Say

• 字迹的声音 — 字迹 refers to written marks, not sounds; use 语调 or 语气 when describing vocal style

Origin & History

字 (character/writing) + 迹 (trace/mark/vestige)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal