垂すい直ちょく思し考こう

noun

vertical thinking; linear thinking; rigid thinking

A yojijukugo used in psychology and problem-solving contexts, often contrasted with 水平思考 (lateral thinking). It refers to logical, step-by-step reasoning that follows established patterns, sometimes with a negative connotation of inflexibility.

• 垂すい直ちょく思し考こうだけでは革かく新しん的てきなアイデアは生うまれにくい。

  Innovative ideas are hard to come by with vertical thinking alone.

• この問もん題だいを解とくには、垂すい直ちょく思し考こうと水すい平へい思し考こうの両りょう方ほうが必ひつ要ようだ。

  Solving this problem requires both vertical and lateral thinking.