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:

この道は不通です。

Kono michi wa futū desu

This road is blocked.

This road is out of order.

• この道 - this road
• は - Topic particle
• 不通 - closed, blocked, impassable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present
• . - Period

この道路は来月開通する予定です。

Kono dōro wa raigetsu kaitō suru yotei desu

This road is scheduled to open next month.

This road will be open next month.

• この道路 - this road
• は - Topic particle
• 来月 - Next month
• 開通する - will be inaugurated
• 予定です - is planned

この道は凸凹で危険です。

Kono michi wa dekoboko de kiken desu

This road is irregular and dangerous.

This road is unequal and dangerous.

• この道は - This road is
• 凸凹で - irregular/rough
• 危険です - dangerous

ダンプカーが道路を走っている。

Danpu kā ga dōro o hashitte iru

A tilting truck is driving on the road.

A dump car is running on the road.

• ダンプカー - dump truck
• が - subject particle
• 道路 - estrada
• を - direct object particle
• 走っている - is running

一筋の道を進む

Issun no michi wo susumu

Go forward in a straight path.

follow the road

• 一筋 - a straight line, a single direction
• の - possessive particle, indicating that the previous word is the possessor
• 道 - path, road
• を - direct object particle, indicating that the previous word is the object of the action
• 進む - Move forward, progress

両側には歩道があります。

Ryōgawa ni wa hodō ga arimasu

There are sidewalks on both sides.

• 両側 - means "both sides" in Japanese.
• に - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the location of something.
• は - It is a Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 歩道 - It means "sidewalk" in Japanese.
• が - é uma partícula japonesa que indica o sujeito da frase.
• あります - It is a Japanese verb that means "to exist".

人生を導く道は自分で決めるものだ。

Jinsei wo michibiku michi wa jibun de kimeru mono da

The way to lead life is to decide on your own.

• 人生 - Life
• を - object particle
• 導く - Guide
• 道 - Path
• は - Topic particle
• 自分 - Yourself
• で - Location particle
• 決める - Decide
• もの - Thing
• だ - Completion particle

北海道は日本の北にあります。

Hokkaido wa Nihon no kita ni arimasu

Hokkaido is located in northern Japan.

• 北海道 - Name of the region located in northern Japan.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 日本 - Name of the country where the region of Hokkaido is located.
• の - A grammatical particle that indicates possession or belonging.
• 北 - Character that means "north".
• に - Grammatical particle that indicates the direction or the place where something is.
• あります - Verb "to be" in the polite form, indicating the existence of something.

同じ道を歩もう。

Onaji michi wo ayumou

Let's walk the same path together.

Let's walk the same road.

• 同じ (onaji) - same
• 道 (michi) - path
• を (wo) - object particle
• 歩もう (arukimou) - let's walk

回り道をしても目的地に着く。

Mawari michi wo shitemo mokutekichi ni tsuku

Even with a detour

Even if you take a detour, you will reach your destination.

• 回り道をしても - even if it takes a detour
• 目的地に - for the destination
• 着く - arrive