Definition
大动脉 literally means 'main artery' in anatomy, but it's also commonly used as a metaphor for the most important transportation or economic lines in a region — like a major road, railway, or river that everything depends on. The figurative usage is just as common as the medical one, so pay attention to context.
n.
(anatomy) main arteryaorta(figurative) main artery (of transportation, economy, or information)
Examples
- 大动脉，。Yīshēng shuō tā de yì tiáo dà dòng mài dǔsè le, xūyào mǎshàng shǒushù.The doctor said one of his main arteries was blocked and he needed immediate surgery.
- 大动脉。Zhè tiáo gāosù gōnglù shì liánjiē nánběi de jiāotōng dà dòng mài.This highway is the transportation main artery connecting north and south.
- 大动脉。Cháng Jiāng shì Zhōngguó zuì zhòngyào de jīngjì dà dòng mài zhī yī.The Yangtze River is one of China's most important economic arteries.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.