纵横 zònghéng literally warp and weft in weaving
literally warp and weft in weaving; vertically and horizontal; length and breadth; criss-crossed; able to move unhindered; short for 合纵连横, School of Diplomacy during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC)
How to remember 纵横: 纵 to indulge in + 横 horizontal = literally warp and weft in weaving.
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How it is used
- Literally 'vertical and horizontal', used for things criss-crossing an area - 铁路纵横 (tiělù zònghéng) railways crisscross everywhere.
- Also figurative 'to range freely/dominate': 纵横天下 (zònghéng tiānxià) to sweep across the land unchecked.
- Written and somewhat literary; evokes sweeping scale (纵横交错 zònghéng jiāocuò, intricately interwoven).