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vena

BEH-nah/ˈbe.na/

“vena” means “vein” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

vein

Also: bloodstream
NounfA2
A close-up illustration of blue and red blood vessels visible under the skin of a human arm.

📝 In Action

Las venas llevan la sangre de vuelta al corazón.

A2

Veins carry blood back to the heart.

Se le marcaba una vena en la frente por el enfado.

B1

A vein was bulging on his forehead because of his anger.

La medicina se administra directamente en la vena.

B2

The medicine is administered directly into the vein.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vaso sanguíneo (blood vessel)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • vena varicosa – varicose vein
  • sangre en las venas – blood in one's veins

Idioms & Expressions

  • cortarse las venas – to be extremely dramatic or frustrated (usually figurative)

streak, flair

Also: mood
NounfB2
A person painting a canvas with vibrant, swirling colors, showing a natural creative streak.

📝 In Action

Tiene una vena artística muy fuerte.

B1

He has a very strong artistic streak.

De repente le dio la vena de limpiar toda la casa.

B2

Suddenly he got into a mood to clean the whole house.

Esa vena rebelde le viene de su abuelo.

C1

That rebellious streak comes from her grandfather.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • vena poética – poetic flair
  • vena creativa – creative streak

Idioms & Expressions

  • darle la vena – to have a sudden impulse or whim to do something

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vena

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence refers to a personality trait?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
venoso(veiny) — Adjective
venilla(small vein) — Noun
intravenoso(intravenous) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'vena,' which was used to describe both blood vessels and water channels or underground mineral deposits.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: veinFrench: veine

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'vena' only used for humans?

No, it's used for animals, and also for 'veins' in leaves, wood, or even streaks of mineral in a rock.

What's the difference between 'vena' and 'arteria'?

Biologically, they are different vessels. In common speech, 'vena' is much more common in idioms and for describing people's characters.

Can 'vena' mean 'mood'?

Yes, specifically a sudden, unpredictable impulse or a creative state.