A Beautiful Guide to Advanced Japanese
The kanji 道 (michi, meaning "path" or "way") is a character that represents both physical roads and philosophical journeys. It is classified under the 辵 (movement) radical, emphasizing travel or progression.
Visually, 道 combines movement (辵) with a guiding head (首), depicting a path as a directed journey—whether a literal road or a way of life. Fun fact: Its broad usage reflects Japanese culture’s emphasis on paths, from physical routes to moral or artistic disciplines.
Here are some common words and phrases using 道:
Meaning: Path / Road
Hiragana: みち
Example: 道を歩く。
(Michi o aruku.)
"I walk the path."
Meaning: Road / Highway
Hiragana: どうろ
Example: 道路が混んでいる。
(Dōro ga konde iru.)
"The road is crowded."
Meaning: Training hall / Dojo
Hiragana: どうじょう
Example: 道場で稽古する。
(Dōjō de keiko suru.)
"I practice at the dojo."
Meaning: Judo
Hiragana: じゅうどう
Example: 柔道を習う。
(Jūdō o narau.)
"I learn judo."
Meaning: Kendo
Hiragana: けんどう
Example: 剣道の試合を見た。
(Kendō no shiai o mita.)
"I watched a kendo match."
Meaning: Morality / Ethics
Hiragana: どうとく
Example: 道徳を学ぶ。
(Dōtoku o manabu.)
"I study ethics."
Meaning: Directions / Guidance
Hiragana: みちあんない
Example: 道案内をしてくれる？
(Michiannai o shite kureru?)
"Can you give me directions?"
Meaning: Shortcut
Hiragana: ちかみち
Example: 近道を通る。
(Chikamichi o tōru.)
"I take a shortcut."
Meaning: Mountain path
Hiragana: やまみち
Example: 山道を登る。
(Yamamichi o noboru.)
"I climb the mountain path."
Meaning: Right path / Justice
Hiragana: せいどう
Example: 正道を歩む。
(Seidō o ayumu.)
"I walk the right path."
The kanji 道 captures the essence of a path or way, spanning physical roads, spiritual journeys, and disciplined practices in life.