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纵向 (zòng xiàng) — longitudinal (along the length or axis); vertical (up-down direction)

Definition

纵向 means 'longitudinal / along the axis' — in data or research it contrasts with 横向 (HSK7), which goes 'across' different categories at one point. The existing 'vertical' gloss is loose; 纵向 pairs with 时间 or an axis, not screen up-down.

adjective
longitudinal (along the length or axis)vertical (up-down direction)

Examples

  • 纵向，。
    Zhè ge gōng sī zhù zhòng zòng xiàng fā zhǎn, bú duàn tuò zhǎn xīn yè wù.
    This company focuses on longitudinal development, continuously expanding new businesses.
  • 纵向，。
    Wǒ men xū yào zuò zòng xiàng bǐ jiào, kàn kàn bù tóng nián fèn de shù jù biàn huà.
    We need to make a vertical comparison to see the data changes across different years.
  • 纵向。
    Zhè zhǒng zòng xiàng jié gòu ràng dà lóu gèng jiā wěn gù.
    This vertical structure makes the building more stable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

纵zòngvertical/lengthwise
向xiàngdirection

纵 (vertical/lengthwise) and 向 (direction) combine to mean the vertical or lengthwise direction.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 縱; 纵 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
從
從cóng縱zòng
Same sound today

The traditional form 縱 pairs the 糸 part with 從 as a sound part; the simplified 纵 is a shorthand, and its right side is not the historical sound part.

Open 纵 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

向 originally drew 宀 (house) with 口 to show an echo in a place; later it was used for direction.

Open 向 →
Appears in
DirectionsShapes

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