pegada

Pegada is a Portuguese noun whose primary sense is the mark left on a surface by a foot or by an object—a footprint or imprint. It can also be used figuratively to denote the trace, influence, or legacy that someone or something leaves behind.

In everyday language, pegadas refer to footprints of people or animals, tracks, and any visible imprint. The plural pegadas is common when describing several prints. The term is widely used in science and conversation to discuss traces found in the environment, on surfaces, or in memories.

In environmental discourse, pegada ecológica is the ecological footprint, a measure of the amount of land and resources needed to sustain a given lifestyle or activity. Related terms include pegada de carbono, used to indicate the carbon footprint associated with emissions.

Figuratively, pegada can mean leaving a lasting mark or influence. A person or organization may leave a pegada in a field or culture, and in Brazilian Portuguese the term is also used to describe a distinctive style or groove, such as in music or dance, where pegada conveys a particular feel or approach.

The term is common across Portuguese-speaking regions, with regional nuances in usage and emphasis. Cognate terms exist in Spanish with similar meanings, while English equivalents vary by context and include footprint, imprint, or trace.