PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 縦横無尽

Reading:

じゅうおうむじん (juuou mujin)

English Translation:

Freely; without restriction; in every direction

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Freely and without restriction, able to move or act in every direction.
日本語で読む
自由自在に、制限なくあらゆる方向に動き回ること。

Cultural Context:

Often used in both literal and figurative senses, such as describing a free-flowing conversation or unrestricted movement in sports.
日本語で読む
会話の流れやスポーツでの動きなど、文字通りにも比喩的にも使われることが多い。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Adverbial phrase with “に動く” or “に活躍する” to describe free and unrestricted action (“縦横無尽に動く”).<br>• Also used with “の活躍” or “の走り” to describe versatile or wide-ranging performance.
日本語で読む
• 自由自在で制限なく動く様子を表す「〜に動く」「〜に活躍する」（例：「縦横無尽に動く」）。<br>• 「〜の活躍」「〜の走り」で多方面にわたる活躍を表す場合もある。

Trap for English Speakers

Could be mistaken as purely directional (“vertically and horizontally”), but it means total freedom of movement or versatility.
日本語で読む
単なる方向を示す表現ではなく、自由度や多才さを表す点に注意。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 彼は縦横無尽にアイデアを出してくれるから、会議が楽しい。

    He freely throws out ideas, making our meetings enjoyable.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 縦横無尽にフィールドを駆け回った。

    He ran freely across the field in every direction.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「縦横無尽」 mean?

More questions: Yojijukugo quiz →