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:

正しい道を歩きましょう。

Tadashii michi wo arukimashou

Let's walk the right way.

Let's walk the right road.

• 正しい - adjective meaning "correct" or "right"
• 道 - noun meaning "path" or "road"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 歩き - verb meaning "walk" or "walk"
• ましょう - suffix indicating a suggestion or invitation to do something

片道の切符を買いました。

Kataomoi no kippu o kaimashita

I bought a first trip.

I bought a ticket from one way.

• 片道 - means "one way" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• 切符 - It means "ticket" in Japanese.
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 買いました - The verb "comprar" in the past is "bought".

私は道場で空手を習っています。

Watashi wa dōjō de karate o naratteimasu

I am learning karate in Dojo.

I'm learning karate in Dojo.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 道場 (doujou) - noun that means "dojo," a place for martial arts training
• で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the place where an action occurs
• 空手 (karate) - noun meaning "karate", a Japanese martial art
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 習っています (naratteimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"

私は道を踏む。

Watashi wa michi wo fumu

I step on the path.

I take the path.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 道 - Japanese noun meaning "way"
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "path"
• 踏む - Japanese verb meaning "to step"

街道を歩くのは楽しいです。

Machidō wo aruku no wa tanoshii desu

Walking on the road is fun.

• 街道 (gaidou) - Road
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 歩く (aruku) - to walk
• のは (nowa) - Topic particle
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

赤道は地球の中心に近い場所にあります。

Chikyuu no chuushin ni chikai basho ni arimasu

The equator is located near the center of the Earth.

• 赤道 - Ecuador
• は - Topic particle
• 地球 - Earth
• の - Possessive particle
• 中心 - Center
• に - Location particle
• 近い - Next
• 場所 - Place
• に - Location particle
• あります - Is

車が道を横切った。

Kuruma ga michi wo yokogitta

A car crossed the road.

The car crossed the road.

• 車 - car
• が - subject particle
• 道 - road/path
• を - direct object particle
• 横切った - crossed