縦じゅう横おう無む礙げ

Meanings

noun, na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

free and unrestricted; unfettered; as free as the air

A yojijukugo describing a state of complete freedom, where one acts without any hindrance or restraint. Often used in literary or formal contexts.

彼かれの縦じゅう横おう無む礙げな発はっ想そうにはいつも驚おどろかされる。
I am always amazed by his unfettered way of thinking.
縦じゅう横おう無む礙げの境きょう地ちで創そう作さくに打うち込こむ。
He devotes himself to creation in a state of complete freedom.

Kanji

縦vertical, length, height
横sideways, side, horizontal
無nothingness, none, ain't
礙obstruct, hinder, block

Related words

自じ由ゆう自じ在ざい
自由自在 also means 'freely' or 'at will,' but is more common and less literary than 縦横無礙. 縦横無礙 emphasizes the absence of obstacles, while 自由自在 focuses on doing as one pleases.

Written forms

縦じゅう横おう無む礙げ
Standard kanji spelling for this yojijukugo. 礙 is a traditional character; the modern simplified form is 縦横無碍.
縦じゅう横おう無む碍げ
Modern simplified spelling using 碍 instead of 礙.

Etymology

A yojijukugo composed of 縦横 (length and breadth, i.e., in all directions) and 無礙 (without hindrance). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is used to express boundless freedom.