脈々

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 脈々 is read as みゃくみゃく and is an adverbial expression for a tradition, skill, or spirit continuing unbroken across generations.
• Basic usage: Use 脈々と受け継がれる for a skill being passed down continuously and 脈々と流れる for an ideal or tradition flowing unbroken through time.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference between 脈々 and 延々
  • The former evokes a living lineage or tradition continuing unbroken, whereas the latter stresses that time or distance continues at great length.