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).
看護師が静脈に注射を打った。
The nurse gave an injection into the vein.
General term for blood vessel (includes arteries, veins, capillaries). Use when the distinction isn't crucial.
血管が浮き出ている。
The veins are bulging.
The thin lines on a leaf or an insect's wing.
Specifically for leaf veins.
この葉の葉脈はとてもきれいだ。
The veins of this leaf are very beautiful.
Specifically for insect wing veins. Technical term.
トンボの翅脈は複雑だ。
The veins of a dragonfly's wing are complex.
A layer of mineral or ore in rock.
Standard term for a vein of ore or mineral.
彼らは金の鉱脈を発見した。
They discovered a vein of gold.
Can be used as a suffix or standalone for mineral veins, but often part of compounds.
A particular quality or style in speech, writing, or behavior.
Suffix meaning 'in a ... tone/style'. Attach to a noun describing the style.
彼はユーモア調で話した。
He spoke in a humorous vein.
Refers to tone of voice or manner of speaking. Often used with adjectives.
真面目な口調で話し続けた。
He continued in a serious vein.
Means 'in the same vein' (continuing similarly).
同じ調子で話を続けましょう。
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.
A vein of quartz runs through it.