footprint
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footprint
The visible mark that a foot or shoe leaves on a soft surface such as sand, snow, or earth.
Am Strand konnte man deutlich die Fussabdrücke im nassen Sand sehen.
On the beach, you could clearly see the footprints in the wet sand.
The word is a clear compound of 'Fuss' (foot) and 'Abdruck' (print/impression). So it literally means a print made by a foot.
Der Jäger folgte den Fussabdrücken des Hirsches im Schnee.
The hunter followed the deer's footprints in the snow.
The figurative meaning is almost always made clear by an adjective. People speak of the 'ökologischen Fussabdruck' (ecological footprint, environment) or the 'digitalen Fussabdruck' (digital footprint, internet). Without an adjective, the literal meaning is usually meant.
Jede E-Mail, die wir senden, vergrössert unseren digitalen Fussabdruck.
Every email we send increases our digital footprint.
In the literal meaning, a footprint is often 'hinterlassen' (left behind). You can also 'den Fussabdrücken folgen' (follow the footprints).
Der Einbrecher hat schlammige Fussabdrücke auf dem Boden hinterlassen.
The burglar left muddy footprints on the floor.
In an environmental context, the goal is usually to 'verkleinern' (shrink), 'reduzieren' (reduce), or 'verbessern' (improve) one's ecological footprint.
Unsere Firma versucht, ihren ökologischen Fussabdruck stetig zu verringern.
Our company is trying to steadily reduce its ecological footprint.
On the internet, you 'hinterlässt' (leave behind) a digital footprint. You can try to 'minimieren' (minimize) or 'kontrollieren' (control) it.
Sei vorsichtig mit den Informationen, die du teilst, um deinen digitalen Fussabdruck zu schützen.
Be careful with the information you share in order to protect your digital footprint.
track / trace
'die Spur' and 'der Fussabdruck' can both mean a mark on the ground. 'der Fussabdruck' is more specific: it comes from a foot or shoe. 'die Spur' is more general. It can come from feet, tires, animals, or other things. Learners may confuse the words when they mean footprints. If it is important that it is the mark of a foot, 'Fussabdruck' is more precise. If the type of mark is open or not very important, 'Spur' fits better.
Im Schnee entdeckte Lisa einen kleinen Fussabdruck neben der Tür.
In the snow, Lisa discovered a small footprint next to the door.
Nach dem Regen sah man eine breite Spur im weichen Boden.
After the rain, a wide track could be seen in the soft ground.