命脉 (mìng mài) — lifeblood; lifeline (the most vital element or factor that sustains something)

Definition

Examples

• 交通是城市的命脉，一旦瘫痪，整个城市就会陷入混乱。
  Jiāo tōng shì chéng shì de mìng mài, yí dàn tān huàn, zhěng gè chéng shì jiù huì xiàn rù hùn luàn.
  Transportation is the lifeblood of a city; once it's paralyzed, the entire city falls into chaos.
• 水是农业的命脉，没有水，庄稼就无法生长。
  Shuǐ shì nóng yè de mìng mài, méi yǒu shuǐ, zhuāng jia jiù wú fǎ shēng zhǎng.
  Water is the lifeline of agriculture; without it, crops cannot grow.
• 能源产业是国家经济的命脉，必须确保其安全稳定。
  Néng yuán chǎn yè shì guó jiā jīng jì de mìng mài, bì xū què bǎo qí ān quán wěn dìng.
  The energy industry is the lifeblood of the national economy; its security and stability must be ensured.