die Fußspur
footprint
The visible mark that a foot or shoe leaves on a surface when someone walks on it.
EXAMPLE
Im Schnee war deutlich eine Fußspur zu erkennen.
A footprint was clearly visible in the snow.
die Fußspur
footprint
die Fußspur, die Fußspuren
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Fußspur, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fußspuren |
| genitive | der Fußspur |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Fußspur | die Fußspuren |
| accusative | die Fußspur | die Fußspuren |
| dative | der Fußspur | den Fußspuren |
| genitive | der Fußspur | der Fußspuren |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Fußspur' (footprint) is made up of 'Fuß' (foot) and 'Spur' (trace). The head noun 'Spur' indicates that it refers to a visible mark made by a foot or shoe.
EXAMPLE
Die Fußspur im feuchten Sand war noch ganz frisch.
The footprint in the damp sand was still very fresh.
Typical collocations
Common phrases include 'eine Fußspur entdecken' (to discover a footprint), 'eine Fußspur verfolgen' (to follow a footprint), and 'eine Fußspur hinterlassen' (to leave a footprint). The noun is often preceded by adjectives such as 'frisch' (fresh), 'deutlich' (clear), or 'verwischt' (smudged).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei konnte eine frische Fußspur bis zum Gartentor verfolgen.
The police were able to follow a trail of fresh footprints as far as the garden gate.
Investigative context
'Fußspur' (footprint) is particularly common in reports about investigations or forensic evidence collection. In this context, footprints can be preserved as evidence, examined, or analyzed.
EXAMPLE
Die Ermittler sicherten die Fußspur neben dem Fenster.
The investigators preserved the footprint next to the window as evidence.
In real life
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