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: estrada; rua; caminho; método

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:

並木の道を歩くのは気持ちがいいです。

Nammoku no michi wo aruku no wa kimochi ga ii desu

It is pleasant to walk along a tree-lined street.

It is pleasant to walk in the row of trees.

• 並木の道 - Path of aligned trees
• を - object particle
• 歩く - to walk
• のは - Topic particle
• 気持ちがいい - feel good, pleasant
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

丈夫な男性が道を歩いている。

Joufu na dansei ga michi wo aruite iru

Um homem forte está andando pela rua.

Um homem durável está andando na estrada.

• 丈夫な - adjetivo que significa "forte"
• 男性 - substantivo que significa "homem"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 道 - noun that means "path"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 歩いている - verbo que significa "está caminhando" no presente contínuo

この道は長いです。

Kono michi wa nagai desu

This road is long.

This road is long.

• この道 - kono michi (this path)
• は - wa (topic particle)
• 長い - long
• です - is (verb to be in the present)

この道の幅は広いです。

Kono michi no haba wa hiroi desu

The width of this road is wide.

The width of this road is wide.

• この道の - "from this path"
• 幅は - "width is"
• 広いです - "ampla"

この道は車が通ることができます。

Kono michi wa kuruma ga tooru koto ga dekimasu

The cars can drive on this road.

This road allows cars to pass.

• この道は - indicates that the sentence refers to "this street"
• 車が通る - "Carros passam" means "cars pass" in English.
• ことができます - It is an expression that indicates "it is possible"

この列車は正確な軌道を保っています。

Kono ressha wa seikaku na kidō o tamotte imasu

This train is maintaining a precise trajectory.

This train maintains a precise orbit.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 列車 - noun meaning "train"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 正確な - adjective meaning "precise" or "exact"
• 軌道 - noun meaning "trajectory" or "orbit"
• を - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 保っています - verb meaning "maintain" or "preserve" in the present continuous

この都道府県の知事はとても有能です。

Kono todōfuken no chiji wa totemo yūnō desu

The governor of this prefecture is very competent.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 都道府県 - term used in Japan to refer to the country's 47 prefectures
• の - partícula que indica posse ou relação entre duas palavras
• 知事 - political position equivalent to governor of a province
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 有能 - adjective meaning "competent" or "capable"
• です - verb "to be" in the present, used to indicate an affirmation or a description

この山の道は起伏が激しいですね。

Kono yama no michi wa kifuku ga hageshii desu ne

This mountain road is intensely wavy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 山 - noun that means "mountain"
• の - particle indicating possession, in this case, "of the mountain"
• 道 - noun that means "path"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the path of the mountain"
• 起伏 - noun that means "ups and downs"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the ups and downs"
• 激しい - Adjective that means "intense" or "strong"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence
• ね - particle that indicates the expectation of confirmation or agreement from the listener, in this case, "isn't it?"

この道はどこまでも続く。

Kono michi wa doko made mo tsuzuku

This road remains endless.

This road lasts forever.

• この道 - "this path"
• は - Topic particle
• どこまでも - "anywhere"
• 続く - "continua"

この道は北に向いています。

Kono michi wa kita ni muite imasu

This road faces north.

This road is to the north.

• この道 - esta estrada
• は - Topic particle
• 北に - to the north
• 向いています - is facing