脉 (mài) - pulse & vein

脉Tone 4

mài ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 月

伦妙

脉 · mài

pulse;

vein;

artery;

blood vessel;

to feel the pulse;

vein (in mining/geology);

lineage;

continuity

pulseveinartery

Usage highlights

pulseblood vesselveinmountain rangevein of thoughtbloodline

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 断— broken; disconnected
  • 绝— cut off; severed

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The doctor checked my pulse (脉搏).
  • Mineral veins contain valuable deposits (矿脉).
  • This tradition has been passed down through generations (一脉相传).
  • The river system forms the lifeblood of the region (水脉).

Collocations

  • pulse(脉搏)
  • blood vessel(血管)
  • vein(矿脉)
  • mountain range(山脉)
  • vein of thought(思路脉络)
  • bloodline(血脉)

Idioms

  • Of the same origin(一脉相承)
  • Connected arteries and veins(脉络相通)
  • To feel the pulse and observe the complexion(脉脉含情)
  • Blood is thicker than water(血脉相连)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, pulse diagnosis (脉诊) is a crucial diagnostic method where physicians assess health by feeling the radial pulse.
  • The character embodies concepts of connection and continuity, representing both physical vessels and metaphorical lineages.
  • In geomancy (feng shui), 脉 refers to the energy channels (龙脉) that run through landscapes.

FAQ