How to say "artery" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 動脈どうみゃくnounThe anatomical term for an artery: a vessel carrying blood away from the heart. It is also used figuratively of main routes, such as major roads or rail lines.
- 筋すじnounA general word whose core senses are muscle, tendon and line; as a blood-vessel word it typically refers to veins, so it is seldom the word you want for 'artery' — use 動脈 instead.
For the anatomical artery — the vessel carrying blood from the heart — use 動脈; 筋 is a general word for muscle, tendon and line whose vessel sense typically means vein, so it is seldom the right choice for 'artery'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
