みゃく
Alternative writings:
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

The pulse or heartbeat felt through the arteries; the pulsation used in medical or health contexts.

Noun

Examples

医者が患者の脈を診た。

The doctor checked the patient's pulse.

手首の脈が速くて不安になる。

My wrist pulse is fast, which makes me uneasy.

脈拍を測ってから運動を始めてください。

Please measure your pulse before starting exercise.

2

A vein (e.g., an ore vein) — a seam or stretch of mineral deposits underground.

Noun

Examples

地下に豊かな鉱脈が眠っている。

Rich ore veins lie underground.

3

A chain or range, such as a chain of mountains (mountain range).

Noun

Examples

ヒマラヤ山脈は世界で最も高い山脈だ。

The Himalaya mountain range is the highest in the world.

山脈が連なって空の境界線のように見える。

The mountain ranges stretch out, looking like a boundary against the sky.

4

Used to mean a chance or hope; as in 'there is a pulse/chance' (脈がある) meaning there's a possibility or hope.

Noun

Examples

交渉にはまだ脈があると考えられる。

It is thought that there is still a chance in the negotiations.

医療の進歩に脈が見える。

You can see signs of hope in medical advances.

5

The thread or line of an argument or discourse—the logical flow of a discussion or text.

Noun

Examples

発言の脈をたどると、本当の意図が見えてくる。

Tracing the thread of his remarks reveals his true intention.

文章の脈を意識して書くと読みやすくなる。

If you write with the flow of the text in mind, it becomes easier to read.