Japanese word

垂直

Pronunciation

Romajisuichoku

Meaning

  • na-adjectivevertical

Example

この柱は垂直です。ko no hashira wa sui choku de su

This pillar is vertical.

Illustration for 垂直 (vertical)

More examples

二本の線は垂直に交わります。ni pon no sen wa sui choku ni maji wa ri ma su

The two lines intersect at right angles.

Core concept

Describes a direction that rises or falls straight from a level surface, forming a right angle with it.

Common phrases

  • 垂直な線sui choku na sen

    a vertical line

  • 垂直に交わるsui choku ni maji wa ru

    intersect at right angles

  • 垂直な壁sui choku na kabe

    a vertical wall

Similar words

鉛直enchoku: Describes a straight up-and-down direction determined by the pull of gravity.

Definition in Japanese

水平面に対して直角をなし、上下にまっすぐ伸びるさま。sui hei men ni tai shi te chok kaku o na shi jō ge ni ma ssu gu no bi ru sa ma

Word origin

垂直 (suichoku, "vertical") combines 垂 (sui, "hang down") and 直 (choku, "straight"), expressing a straight direction that hangs or stands upright.

Usage tips

  • English uses vertical mainly for an up-and-down direction, while perpendicular applies to any right-angle relationship, and 垂直 (suichoku) can correspond to either term in the right context.

Other meanings

  • perpendicularna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 垂直性suichokuseiverticalitynoun
  • 垂直的suichokutekiverticalna-adjective

Word lists with this word