Definitions

zòng (verb) to indulge; to let loose
zòng (verb) to release; to set free
zòng (adjective) vertical; longitudinal

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "纵" originates from its traditional form "縱", which is structured with the silk radical "糸" and the component "從" that provides both phonetic and semantic clues related to following or releasing. Initially denoting the act of letting go or setting free, such as loosening something bound, its meaning expanded to include indulgence, permission, and the concessive sense of "even if". In a spatial context, it acquired the directional meaning of "vertical" or "longitudinal", standing in opposition to "horizontal". The simplified form "纵" retains this semantic range while substituting "糸" with "纟" and "從" with "从" as its constituent parts.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

容孩子是不对的。

Zòng róng hái zi shì bù duì de.

Indulging children is wrong.

身跳入水中。

Tā zòng shēn tiào rù shuǐ zhōng.

He jumped into the water.

火是严重的罪行。

Zòng huǒ shì yán zhòng de zuì xíng.

Arson is a serious crime.

这条铁路横全国。

Zhè tiáo tiě lù zòng héng quán guó.

This railway runs across the country.

他们在晚会上情歌唱。

Tā men zài wǎn huì shàng zòng qíng gē chàng.

They sang heartily at the party.

使困难重重,我们也要坚持。

Zòng shǐ kùn nán chóng chóng, wǒ men yě yào jiān chí.

Even if there are many difficulties, we must persist.

从山顶可以览全城景色。

Cóng shān dǐng kě yǐ zòng lǎn quán chéng jǐng sè.

From the mountain top, you can survey the entire city scenery.

他在会议上论国际形势。

Tā zài huì yì shàng zòng lùn guó jì xíng shì.

He discussed the international situation freely at the meeting.