Translation and Meaning of: 道 - michi

The Japanese word 「道」 (michi) transcends a simplistic translation of "path" or "road," encompassing deeper and spiritual meanings. Etymologically, 「道」 is composed of the radical 「辶」 which represents "movement" or "path," and the phonetic element 「首」, which refers to "first" or "head." Together, these elements evoke the idea of a main trajectory or path to be followed, both literally and figuratively.

In broader terms, 「道」 is central to various philosophies and traditional practices of Japan and East Asia. For example, in the context of Taoism, the Chinese version of the word, "Tao", means the "way" or underlying "principle" that structures the universe. Hence comes the idea of something that is not only physical but also spiritual and philosophical, reflecting a way of life that is in harmony with the cosmos.

In Japanese daily life, 「道」 is also used in various contexts, from the literal to the more metaphorical. The word appears in combinations such as 「剣道」 (kendo, "the way of the sword"), 「柔道」 (judo, "the gentle way"), or 「茶道」 (sado, "the way of tea"), indicating disciplines or practices that follow a specific path of physical, mental, and spiritual development.

The influence of 「道」 in Japanese culture demonstrates the importance of balance and harmony in everyday life. Thus, 「道」 is not just a physical route, but a fundamental concept that can guide personal and philosophical decisions, reflecting the essence of seeking a harmonious path in all facets of life. Considering the richness of this term, it invites us to reflect on what our own journey means and the paths we choose to follow.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 街路 (gairo) - Public street or road, usually in urban areas.
• 道路 (dōro) - Path or road, usually referring to traffic ways.
• 通り (tōri) - Street or passage; it can also refer to commercial areas.
• 途中 (tochū) - On the way, during the journey, refers to an intermediate point.
• 途上 (tojō) - Similar to 途中, but relatively more formal, usually used in specific contexts.
• 途中道路 (tochū dōro) - Road in the middle of the way, referring to a route in a journey.
• 途上道路 (tojō dōro) - Road in an intermediate state, more formal than 途中道路.
• 通行 (tsūkō) - Traffic, passage; refers to the act of transiting through a path.
• 通行路 (tsūkō ro) - Road or passageway; refers to a specific route for transit.
• 通路 (tsūro) - Path or corridor; more commonly used in internal contexts.
• 交通路 (kōtsū ro) - Traffic road; refers to routes designated for transportation.
• 交通道路 (kōtsū dōro) - Public transport road; more focused on vehicle movement.
• 通行許可 (tsūkō kyoka) - Passage permission; authorization to use a specific route.
• 通行止め (tsūkō dome) - Prohibition of passage, traffic blockage on a road.
• 通行禁止 (tsūkō kinshi) - Prohibition of passage, a more formal term for traffic restriction.
• 通行止める (tsūkō domeru) - Block the passage; act of preventing traffic on a road.
• 通行する (tsūkō suru) - To carry out the act of transiting; verb to refer to traffic.
• 通行量 (tsūkō ryō) - Traffic volume; the number of vehicles or people using a road.
• 通行人 (tsūkō nin) - People who move; refers to pedestrians or travelers on a route.
• 通行料 (tsūkō ryō) - Toll; any cost associated with the use of a road.
• 通行権 (tsūkō ken) - Right of way; legal right to travel on a roadway.
• 通行手形 (tsūkō tegata) - Authorization document for passage; more specific in legal contexts.
• 通行税 (tsūkōzei) - Toll; government tax on the use of certain roads.
• 通行止めにする (tsūkō dome ni suru) - Decide to block the passage; the act of officially creating a prohibition.
• 通行止めになる (tsūkō dome ni naru) - Become a roadblock; it refers to a situation where a route is officially closed.
• 通行止めになること (tsūkō dome ni naru koto) - The fact of becoming a blockage; implies the condition of a route being permanently closed.
• 通行止めになる場合 (tsūkō dome ni naru baai) - Case in which it becomes a blockage; reference to circumstances that lead to a blockage of passage.
• 通行止めになる理由 (tsūkō dome ni naru riyū) - Reasons for a blockage; justification for the ban on passage.
• 通行止めになる時間 (tsūkō dome ni naru jikan) - Time it takes to become a blockage; duration of the blockage of passage.
• 通行止めになる期間 (tsūkō dome ni naru kikan) - Duration of a blockage; time interval during which the road will be closed.

道

Romaji: michi
Kana: みち
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: road; street; path; method

Meaning in English: road;street;way;method

Definition: A space that refers to a place or position and is used for passage and movement.

Example Sentences - (道) michi

See below some example sentences:

茶の湯は日本の伝統的な茶道の儀式です。

Chanoyu wa Nihon no dentōteki na sadō no gishiki desu

Chanoyu is a traditional ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Canoyu is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

• 茶の湯 (Chanoyu) - Tea ceremony
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 (Nihon) - Japan
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 伝統的な (dentōteki na) - Traditional
• 茶道 (chadō) - Tea path
• の (no) - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 儀式 (gishiki) - Ceremony, ritual
• です (desu) - polite way of being

登山道は険しいです。

Tōzandō wa kewashīdesu

The mountain trail is steep.

The mountain trail is steep.

• 登山道 (tōzandō) - mountain trail
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 険しい (kewashii) - steep, difficult
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

武士道を守る。

Bushidō o mamoru

Defend the way of the warrior.

Protect Bushido.

• 武士道 - bushido (samurai code of conduct)
• を - direct object particle
• 守る - protect, defend

歩道を歩くのは健康に良いです。

Hodō o aruku no wa kenkō ni yoi desu

Walking on the sidewalk is good for your health.

Walking on the sidewalk is good for your health.

• 歩道 - Pedestrian path
• を - object particle
• 歩く - to walk
• のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 健康に - healthily
• 良い - good
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

横断する道路を渡ってください。

Yokodan suru dōro o watatte kudasai

Please cross the road that cuts through.

Please cross the road to cross.

• 横断する - atravessar
• 道路 - estrada
• を - direct object particle
• 渡って - atravessando
• ください - Please

書籍は知識を広げるための重要な道具です。

Shoseki wa chishiki wo hirogeru tame no juuyou na dougu desu

Books are important tools to expand knowledge.

Books are important tools for expanding knowledge.

• 書籍 - means "book" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "book".
• 知識 - means "knowledge" in Japanese.
• を - object particle indicating that "knowledge" is the direct object of the action.
• 広げる - means "expand" or "widen" in Japanese, and is the verb of the sentence.
• ための - means "for" or "in order to" in Japanese, and is an expression that indicates the purpose of the action.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, and is an adjective that modifies "道具" (tool).
• 道具 - means "tool" in Japanese, and is the noun that indicates the object that is important to expand knowledge.
• です - is the verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates that the sentence is an affirmative statement.

書道は美しい芸術です。

Shodō wa utsukushii geijutsu desu

Calligraphy is a beautiful art.

Calligraphy is a beautiful art.

• 書道 - Japanese calligraphy art
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - Beautiful, lovely
• 芸術 - art
• です - verb to be in the polite form

地形が険しい山道を登るのは大変だ。

Chikei ga kewashii yamamichi wo noboru no wa taihen da

Climbing a mountain trail with rugged terrain is difficult.

It is difficult to climb a steep mountain path.

• 地形 (chikei) - terreno
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 険しい (kewashii) - steep, difficult
• 山道 (yamamichi) - mountain trail
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 登る (noboru) - climb
• のは (no wa) - particle that indicates topic
• 大変 (taihen) - Difficult, laborious
• だ (da) - Verb "to be"

千里の道も一歩から

Senri no michi mo ippo kara

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

From the journey of a thousand miles per inch

• 千里 - it means "one thousand miles", it is a unit of distance measurement in the Japanese metric system.
• の - particle indicating possession or relationship between two things.
• 道 - means "path" or "road".
• も - partícula que indica inclusão ou adição.
• 一歩 - means "a step".
• から - particle that indicates starting point or cause.

人生は時に分かれる道を選ばなければならない。

Jinsei wa toki ni wakareru michi o erabanakereba naranai

Sometimes in life

Life must choose a path sometimes divided.

• 人生 (jinsei) - Life
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 時に (toki ni) - Sometimes
• 分かれる (wakareru) - Dividir-se
• 道 (michi) - Path
• を (wo) - object particle
• 選ばなければならない (erabanakereba naranai) - You must choose