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脉络 (mài luò) — (figurative) logical thread, underlying structure, overall context; (literal) network of blood vessels or veins (in anatomy or botany)

Definition

Used mostly in the figurative sense: the logical thread or underlying structure that ties a text, argument, or situation together. The literal sense (veins, plant vessels) is rarer; 血脉 leans toward bloodline and lineage in figurative use.

noun
(figurative) logical threadunderlying structureoverall context(literal) network of blood vessels or veins (in anatomy or botany)

Examples

  • 脉络，。
    Zhè piān lùn wén de mài luò fēi cháng qīng xī, ràng rén yí mù liǎo rán.
    The logical thread of this thesis is very clear, making it easy to understand at a glance.
  • 脉络。
    Zhí wù de mài luò fù zé shū sòng shuǐ fèn hé yǎng fèn.
    The veins of a plant are responsible for transporting water and nutrients.
  • ，脉络。
    Yào lǐ jiě zhè duàn lì shǐ, bì xū xiān bǎ wò tā de mài luò.
    To understand this period of history, you must first grasp its overall context.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

脉màivessel
络luònetwork

脉 “vessel” and 络 “network” combine for a network of vessels.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 脈; 脉 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺼Written in full as肉ròuflesh
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠂢
𠂢𠂢脈mài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 脈 pairs ⺼ (flesh) with a sound part, 𠂢; the simplified 脉 is a shorthand, so its right side is not the historical sound part.

Open 脉 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 絡; 络 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìthread
Sound part声符shēngfú
各
各gè絡luò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 絡 pairs 糸 (thread) with 各 as a sound part, showing something wrapped in thread, like a web of thread; the simplified 络 is a later shorthand.

Open 络 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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