뜻
To disappear completely.
문화적 배경
The idiom is a favorite of 19th-century authors like Gogol and Dostoevsky to describe elusive characters or mysterious events. The phrase reflects the vital importance of tracking in Russian history. A cold trail wasn't just a metaphor; it meant a hungry winter. Today, it's frequently used in news headlines about financial scammers or politicians who flee the country. Many Russian fairy tales involve characters like Baba Yaga or the Firebird who vanish just as the hero arrives, often described with this phrase.
Use the particle 'и'
While 'след простыл' is grammatically correct, adding 'и' (и след простыл) makes it sound much more natural and native.
Gender Agreement
Never change 'простыл' to 'простыла' or 'простыли'. It always agrees with the masculine 'след'.
뜻
To disappear completely.
Use the particle 'и'
While 'след простыл' is grammatically correct, adding 'и' (и след простыл) makes it sound much more natural and native.
Gender Agreement
Never change 'простыл' to 'простыла' or 'простыли'. It always agrees with the masculine 'след'.
Storytelling
This is a great phrase to use when telling a story about a trip or a funny incident to make your Russian sound more expressive.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Я зашёл в кафе, но моего друга и след ______.
The word 'след' is masculine, so the verb must be 'простыл'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to describe a woman who left?
How do you say 'She vanished'?
We use the genitive 'её' (her [trail]) and the masculine 'простыл' to agree with 'след'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the idiom.
Situation: You are a detective who arrived at a warehouse, but the smugglers left 10 minutes ago.
This is the standard idiomatic way to say they are gone without a trace.
Complete the dialogue.
— Где твоя новая машина? — Ой, украли вчера. Пришёл на парковку, а ...
Even though 'машина' is feminine, the idiom refers to its 'след' (masculine).
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Я зашёл в кафе, но моего друга и след ______.
The word 'след' is masculine, so the verb must be 'простыл'.
How do you say 'She vanished'?
We use the genitive 'её' (her [trail]) and the masculine 'простыл' to agree with 'след'.
Situation: You are a detective who arrived at a warehouse, but the smugglers left 10 minutes ago.
This is the standard idiomatic way to say they are gone without a trace.
— Где твоя новая машина? — Ой, украли вчера. Пришёл на парковку, а ...
Even though 'машина' is feminine, the idiom refers to its 'след' (masculine).
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it usually means they ran away or left quickly. It's not used for death.
Yes! It's a funny, dramatic way to say your homework disappeared. 'Моей домашней работы и след простыл!'
Not rude, but very informal. Don't use it in a police report you are writing, but you can use it when talking to a police officer.
Idioms are fixed. 'Холодный след' is a literal translation from English and doesn't sound natural in Russian.
Yes. 'Их и след простыл.' The verb stays singular because 'след' is singular.
Usually with 'его' or 'её': 'Его и след простыл.'
Yes, 'исчезнуть бесследно' (to disappear without a trace).
Yes, but it sounds very poetic or dramatic. 'От их любви и след простыл.'
Often, yes. It usually implies an escape or an intentional departure.
It's like the 'i' in 'hit' but deeper in the throat. Imagine someone punched you in the stomach.
관련 표현
как сквозь землю провалился
similarAs if fallen through the earth
только его и видели
similarThey only saw him [for a moment]
ищи ветра в поле
similarLook for the wind in the field
поминай как звали
similarRemember him as he was called
