HSK 6, unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #9735, Hard
脉
mò
arteries and veins
HSK 6, ng, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #9735, Hard
脉
mò
vein (on a leaf, insect wing etc)
HSK 6, ng, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #9735, Hard
脉
mò
a pulse; arteries, veins; blood vessels
HSK 6, ng, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #9735, Hard
脉
mò
old variant of 脈
HSK 6, ng, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #9735, Hard
脉
mò
old variant of 脈|脉[mai4]
HSK 6, unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #9735, Hard
mài(mai4)
primary
T4
1arteries and veins
2vein (on a leaf, insect wing etc)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
脉(䘑)mài(mai4)
The character 脉 (mài) primarily refers to blood vessels, such as arteries and veins, as well as the pulse. It also denotes veins observed on leaves or insect wings. This character is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly discussions related to circulation and anatomy.
Strokes9Radical⺼Frequency#9735DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese medicine, the concept of '脉' is crucial as it relates to diagnosing health through pulse reading. This practice reflects the holistic view of health in Chinese culture, where the pulse indicates not just blood flow but overall well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heartbeat (脉) that travels through arteries and veins. The character's left side, with a 'flesh' radical (肉), suggests its connection to the body, while the right side resembles a flowing river, symbolizing blood flow.
Meanings of 脉
mài(mai4)
primary
1arteries and veins
2vein (on a leaf, insect wing etc)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 脉
脉Simplified
䘑Traditional
9Strokes
⺼Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#9735Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 脉
Podcast: 脉
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 脉
Quick Contrast
脉 (mài) vs 血管 (xuèguǎn) — use 脉 when referring to pulse or veins in a broader context, while 血管 specifically denotes blood vessels.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; 脉 (mài) has a fourth tone, which can be confused with other similar-sounding characters. It is often used in formal contexts, such as medical discussions. Common collocations include phrases related to health and anatomy, like '脉搏' (pulse).
HSK Study Tips
Though 脉 is not included in the current HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to other medical terms and words dealing with the body, which could be beneficial for learners interested in health-related topics. Focus on recognizing its usage in context.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 脉 (mài) with other characters that have similar pronunciations but different meanings. For example, mixing it up with 买 (mǎi, to buy) due to tonal errors can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 脉
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Drill the tone of 脉 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 脉? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 脉?
Decomposition of 脉
IDS Structure⿰⺼永
脉Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
永yong3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 脉?
How to say arteries and veins in Chinese
“arteries and veins” in Chinese is脉mài
The character 脉 (mài) primarily refers to blood vessels, such as arteries and veins, as well as the pulse. It also denotes veins observed on leaves or insect wings. This character is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly discussions related to circulation and anatomy.
When to use 脉
Be cautious with the tone; 脉 (mài) has a fourth tone, which can be confused with other similar-sounding characters. It is often used in formal contexts, such as medical discussions. Common collocations include phrases related to health and anatomy, like '脉搏' (pulse).
脉 or something close to it
脉 (mài) vs 血管 (xuèguǎn) — use 脉 when referring to pulse or veins in a broader context, while 血管 specifically denotes blood vessels.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 脉 (mài) with other characters that have similar pronunciations but different meanings. For example, mixing it up with 买 (mǎi, to buy) due to tonal errors can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 脉
脉
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Practice writing 脉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 脉
脉 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他们给我量了____搏、血压，还给我的下颌拍了X光片。
They took my pulse, took my blood pressure, and X-rayed my jaw.
Example Sentences for 脉 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们给我量了脉搏、血压，还给我的下颌拍了X光片。
tā mén gěi wǒ liáng le mài bó、 、 xiě， yā ， huán gěi wǒ de xià héX pāi le。
They took my pulse, took my blood pressure, and X-rayed my jaw.
