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有形無形 (ゆうけいむけい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
tangible and intangible ; material and spiritual
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
A yojijukugo used to refer to both physical, visible things and non-physical, spiritual or abstract things together. Often appears in contexts like assets, culture, or benefits.
文ぶん 化か 遺い 産さん は 有ゆう 形けい 無む 形けい の 両りょう 面めん から 保ほ 護ご さ れる べき だ 。
Cultural heritage should be protected from both tangible and intangible aspects.
Kanji 無 nothingness, none, ain't Similar words 有ゆう 形けい 有形 means 'tangible' or 'material', referring only to physical things, while 有形無形 covers both tangible and intangible together.
無む 形けい 無形 means 'intangible' or 'immaterial', referring only to non-physical things, while 有形無形 covers both tangible and intangible together.
Etymology A yojijukugo composed of 有形 (tangible, having form) and 無形 (intangible, formless). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of pairing opposite concepts.
