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跟踪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
跟踪gēnzōngto follow sb's tracksHSK 6, v, rank #1271, Hard
跟踪gēnzōngto tailHSK 6, v, rank #1271, Hard
跟踪gēnzōngto shadowHSK 6, v, rank #1271, Hard
跟踪gēnzōngtrackingHSK 6, v, rank #1271, Hard
gēnzōng(gen1zong1) T1
  1. 1to follow sb's tracks
  2. 2to tail
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March 24, 2026
跟踪(跟蹤)gēnzōng(gen1zong1)

跟踪 (gēn zōng) means to follow someone or something closely, often with the intent to observe or monitor their actions. It is commonly used in contexts such as detective work, surveillance, or when discussing the tracking of data or trends in various fields.

Frequency#1271DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

跟踪 is often associated with detective stories and films in Chinese culture, where the concept of surveillance plays a significant role in narrative development. It reflects a societal interest in security and personal privacy.

Memory Tip

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass, closely observing the footprints (跟) left behind by a suspect. The '跟' component represents following, while '踪' suggests tracks or traces, helping you visualize the act of tracking someone down.

Meanings of 跟踪

gēnzōng(gen1zong1)
1to follow sb's tracks
2to tail
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 跟踪

跟踪Simplified
跟蹤Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1271Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 跟踪

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Podcast: 跟踪

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AI Study Notes for 跟踪

Quick Contrast

监视 (jiānshì) vs 跟踪 (gēnzōng): Use 跟踪 when the focus is on following closely, while 监视 implies actively watching or overseeing.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass, closely observing the footprints (跟) left behind by a suspect. The '跟' component represents following, while '踪' suggests tracks or traces, helping you visualize the act of tracking someone down.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 跟踪 with just 跟 (gēn), which means 'to follow' without the tracking context. This term is generally informal but can be used in formal settings when discussing investigations. Common collocations include 跟踪调查 (gēn zōng diàochá - tracking investigation) and 跟踪记录 (gēn zōng jìlù - tracking record).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 跟踪 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to observation and analysis, such as 观察 (guānchá - to observe) and 监控 (jiānkòng - to monitor). Focus on using it in sentences that reflect its nuances in both everyday and professional contexts.

Cultural Note

跟踪 is often associated with detective stories and films in Chinese culture, where the concept of surveillance plays a significant role in narrative development. It reflects a societal interest in security and personal privacy.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 跟踪 in contexts where 跟 (gēn) alone would suffice, such as saying '我跟踪你' (wǒ gēn zōng nǐ - I follow you) instead of '我跟着你' (wǒ gēn zhe nǐ - I follow you closely). Remember, 跟踪 implies a more active tracking or monitoring process.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 跟踪

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Component Characters

gēnheel
HSK 213 strokes
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zōngfootprint
15 strokes
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Write 跟踪

Practice writing 跟踪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 跟踪

跟踪 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

为了防止有人____我,我特地绕了弯路。

In case anyone was following me, I made an elaborate detour.

Example Sentences for 跟踪 (4)

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1
为了防止有人跟踪我,我特地绕了弯路。

wéi le fáng zhǐ yǒu rén gēn zōng wǒ, , wǒ tè dì rào le wān。

In case anyone was following me, I made an elaborate detour.
2
内务大臣正考虑制定一项针对跟踪骚扰的新法律。

nèi wù dà chén zhèng kǎo lǜ zhì dìng yī xiàng zhēn duì gēn zōng sāo rǎo de xīn fǎ lǜ。

The Home Secretary is considering a new law against stalking.
3
她意识到那辆奔驰在跟踪她。

tā yì shí dào nà liàng bēn chí zài gēn zōng tā。

She realized that the Mercedes was following her.
4
天线罩使跟踪天线的极图产生了角位移.

tiān xiàn zhào shǐ gēn zōng tiān xiàn de jí tú chǎn shēng le jiǎo wèi yí.

The radome causes an angular displacement of the tracking aerial polar diagram.

Cultural Notes for 跟踪

🏮Cultural insight

跟踪 is often associated with detective stories and films in Chinese culture, where the concept of surveillance plays a significant role in narrative development. It reflects a societal interest in security and personal privacy.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, tracking is often viewed through a lens of privacy concerns, whereas in Chinese culture, surveillance can be more accepted, particularly in the context of public safety.

Frequently Asked Questions about 跟踪

追踪 (zhuī zōng) typically means to pursue or chase after someone, while 跟踪 refers more specifically to following someone's tracks or monitoring them without necessarily being in pursuit.