Jälejälki

Jälejälki is a Finnish noun meaning a trace or remnant left behind after a person, animal, vehicle, or event has passed. The term emphasizes the sign that remains once the source is gone and can refer to physical signs as well as indirect signs of impact or influence.

In ordinary use, jälejälki commonly describes footprints or tracks in snow, mud, sand, or soil, as well as other signs such as tire marks or disturbances in a landscape. In professional contexts such as forensics or archaeology, it can denote trace evidence or impressions that researchers analyze to interpret past actions or processes.

Metaphorically, jälejälki is used to talk about lasting effects or residual influence, for example the environmental, social, or technological footprint left by an event, development, or policy.

Related terms include jälki (trace) and jälkivaikutus (aftereffect).