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
die Arterie
artery
In a figurative sense, an important main transport route, such as a large road, river, or railway line, that is central to transport and supply.
EXAMPLE
Die Autobahn ist die wichtigste Verkehrs-Arterie der Region.
The highway is the region's most important transport artery.
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 Ader
vein
Ader can colloquially refer to a blood vessel in general, but more precisely it refers to a vessel leading to the heart. Arterie is the anatomically precise term for a vessel that carries blood away from the heart. When this direction matters, Arterie is the more appropriate term.
Arterie
Die Ärztin erklärt, dass diese Arterie Blut vom Herzen in Richtung Kopf transportiert.
The doctor explains that this artery carries blood from the heart toward the head.
Ader
Tom sagt im Alltag, dass an seinem Hals eine Ader sichtbar ist.
Tom says in everyday speech that a vein is visible on his neck.
In real life
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