The Chinese word **踪影** is a compound formed by combining two characters with closely related meanings to create a more vivid and abstract concept. The first character, **踪** (zōng), specifically means "trace," "track," or "footprint." The second character, **影** (yǐng), means "shadow," "reflection," or "image." When paired together, they create a metaphorical and somewhat poetic binome that signifies the "trace or shadow" of someone or something, effectively conveying the idea of a faint vestige, a fleeting sign, or any indication of presence—essentially, the combined notion of a physical trail and an intangible silhouette, often used in contexts like "without a trace" (**无踪无影** or **不见踪影**).