纵 (zòng) - vertical & longitudinal

纵Tone 4

zòng ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 纟

志

纵 · zòng

vertical;

longitudinal;

lengthwise;

to release;

to indulge;

to let go;

even if

verticallongitudinallengthwise

Usage highlights

Vertical directionIndulge desiresEven ifReleaseIndulge and pamperVertical and horizontal

Synonyms

  • 竖— vertical (spatial sense)
  • 放— release, let go
  • 任— allow, let

Antonyms

  • 横— horizontal
  • 敛— restrain, collect
  • 收— gather, restrain

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The soldiers marched vertically (纵向 marching).
  • He indulged his desires (纵欲).
  • Even if it rains, we will go (纵然下雨).
  • The tiger was released into the wild (纵虎归山).

Collocations

  • Vertical direction(纵向)
  • Indulge desires(纵欲)
  • Even if(纵然)
  • Release(纵放)
  • Indulge and pamper(纵容)
  • Vertical and horizontal(纵横)

Idioms

  • Vertical and horizontal strategies(纵横捭阖)
  • Indulge the enemy and cause future trouble(养虎遗患)
  • Indulge fire to burn oneself(纵火自焚)
  • Indulge in pleasure without restraint(纵情声色)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In military strategy, 'vertical and horizontal' refers to the Vertical and Horizontal Alliance strategies during the Warring States period.
  • The character embodies both spatial (vertical) and behavioral (indulgence) meanings in Chinese thought.
  • In Confucian ethics, 'indulgence' (纵) is often contrasted with 'restraint' (敛) as a moral concept.

FAQ