01
die Arterie
artery
A blood vessel that transports blood away from the heart into the body. Most arteries carry oxygen-rich blood.
example
Eine verstopfte Arterie kann zu einem Herzinfarkt führen.
A blocked artery can lead to a heart attack.
die Arterie
artery
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical collocations
In a medical context, 'Arterie' (artery) is often combined with verbs like 'verstopfen' (to become blocked) or 'verkalken' (to calcify/harden). Common adjectives are 'verengt' (narrowed), 'beschädigt' (damaged), or 'wichtig' (important).
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt erklärte, dass eine verengte Arterie die Ursache für die Schmerzen sei.
The doctor explained that a narrowed artery was the cause of the pain.
Figurative meaning
The figurative meaning is a metaphor. Just as an artery transports blood in the body, a 'Verkehrsarterie' (traffic artery) transports vehicles in a city or region. The context (traffic, city, economy) makes it clear that it is not about medicine.
EXAMPLE
Diese Straße ist die Haupt-Arterie, die das Stadtzentrum mit dem Flughafen verbindet.
This road is the main artery connecting the city center with the airport.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'Arterie' (artery) is often used as part of compounds such as 'Verkehrsarterie' (traffic artery) or in phrases like 'wirtschaftliche Arterie' (economic artery) or 'Hauptarterie der Stadt' (main artery of the city).
EXAMPLE
Der Fluss war über Jahrhunderte die wirtschaftliche Arterie der gesamten Region.
For centuries, the river was the economic artery of the entire region.
Compare with
Arterie vs Gefäss
vessel / container
'das Gefäss' and 'die Arterie' can both mean something in the body through which blood flows. 'Gefäss' is the general umbrella term. It includes different kinds of blood vessels. 'Arterie' is one specific type: it carries blood away from the heart into the body. The words can be confusing because an artery is a vessel, but not every vessel is an artery. If the direction or the exact type is important, you say 'Arterie'. If you are speaking generally about the structure, 'Gefäss' is enough.
Arterie
Die Arterie bringt das Blut vom Herzen in den Körper.
The artery carries blood from the heart into the body.
Gefäss
Bei der Untersuchung sieht der Arzt ein verengtes Gefäss im Bein.
During the examination, the doctor sees a narrowed vessel in the leg.
In real life
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