Translation guide
The English word "vein" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: blood vessels, leaf/insect wing structures, mineral deposits, and figurative style/mood.
The tubes that carry blood back to the heart.
The standard medical and everyday term for a vein (blood vessel).
The nurse gave an injection into the vein.
General term for blood vessel (includes arteries, veins, capillaries). Use when the distinction isn't crucial.
The veins are bulging.
The thin lines on a leaf or an insect's wing.
A layer of mineral or ore in rock.
A particular quality or style in speech, writing, or behavior.
Suffix meaning 'in a ... tone/style'. Attach to a noun describing the style.
He spoke in a humorous vein.
Refers to tone of voice or manner of speaking. Often used with adjectives.
He continued in a serious vein.
Means 'in the same vein' (continuing similarly).
Let's continue in the same vein.
In medical contexts, vein is 静脈 (じょうみゃく) and artery is 動脈 (どうみゃく). Using 血管 (けっかん) is safe for general 'blood vessel'.
English 'in a ... vein' usually becomes 〜調 (ちょう) or 〜口調 (くちょう) in Japanese. Direct translation of 'vein' as 静脈 would be incorrect.
The veins of a dragonfly's wing are complex.
A vein of quartz runs through it.