道 (dào) - Way, path, road & method, principle

道Tone 4

dào ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

道 · dào

Way, path, road;

method, principle;

doctrine, truth;

to say, to speak;

Tao (in Taoism);

measure word for long thin objects, doors, walls, etc.

Way, path, roadmethod, principledoctrine, truth

Usage highlights

Road, pathMorality, ethicsReason, principleTaoismTo apologizeTo know, to understand

Synonyms

  • 路— road, path
  • 途— way, road, route
  • 说— to say, to speak

Antonyms

  • 歧— forked road, wrong path
  • 邪— evil, heterodox (as in 邪道)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The path winds through the mountains (道路).
  • He explained the principles of physics (物理原理).
  • Taoism emphasizes harmony with nature (道教).
  • Please say it again (请再说一遍).
  • There is a river and a mountain (有一条河和一座山).

Collocations

  • Road, path(道路)
  • Morality, ethics(道德)
  • Reason, principle(道理)
  • Taoism(道教)
  • To apologize(道歉)
  • To know, to understand(知道)

Idioms

  • To apologize sincerely(负荆请罪)
  • To say one thing and mean another(口是心非)
  • The road to happiness is strewn with setbacks(道阻且长)
  • To have both ability and moral integrity(德才兼备)
  • To act in a completely legitimate way(名正言顺)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Central concept in Taoism (Daoism), representing the natural order of the universe.
  • In Confucianism, it often refers to the moral way or proper conduct.
  • Historically used in administrative divisions (e.g., 道 as a circuit during Tang and Song dynasties).
  • In Buddhism, used to translate terms like 'marga' (path) towards enlightenment.

FAQ