垂直 Vertical

Meaning

Primary

Vertical

Alternatives

Perpendicular, Upright

Word Type

な adjective, の adjective, noun

Explanation

Something droops straight down, making it perfectly vertical. If we wanted to get fancy, we could even say it's perpendicular to the floor.

垂直 is a formal, precise word meaning vertical — perfectly up-and-down, at a 90-degree angle to the ground or another surface. You'll hear it in math, science, construction, or any situation where exact orientation matters, like 垂直の線 (a vertical line).

Reading

すいちょく

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 垂直〜

  垂直方向

  vertical direction

  垂直ジャンプ

  vertical jump

  垂直落下

  vertical drop

• 垂直に〜

  垂直になる

  to become perpendicular

  垂直にする

  to make vertical

  垂直に立てる

  to stand something upright

  垂直に立つ

  to stand upright

Context Sentences

スマホが垂直に立っていてびっくりした。

I was surprised to see my smartphone standing perfectly upright.

この線は地面に対して垂直に引かれている。

This line is drawn perpendicular to the ground.

ボールは垂直に近い角度で落ちていきました。

The ball fell at an almost vertical angle.

Kanji Composition

1. 垂

   すい Droop
2. 直

   ちょく Straight