What is the Kanji for "Way"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Way", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Way" is "道".

This kanji has 2 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Michi".

Its onyomi reading is "Dou".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The radical "辶" means "Walk" . And The kanji "首" means "Neck" and can be read as "Shu" and "Kubi".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "道" mean in japanese?

"道" means "Way".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N4 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

道: "Path" or "Way". The Japanese noun '道 (みち)' means 'path' or 'way'. It can refer to a physical path or road, but also to a philosophical or spiritual way of living or doing something. For example: The path to the temple - (寺への道). The way of the samurai - (武士の道).

車道: "Roadway". The Japanese noun '車道 (しゃどう)' refers to the part of a road or street that is designated for vehicles to travel on. It is the portion of the road that is separate from the sidewalk or shoulder, and is meant for the flow of motor vehicles. For example: The car drove down the roadway - (車は車道を走った). Cars must stay on the roadway - (車は車道を走らなければならない).

歩道: "Sidewalk". The Japanese noun '歩道 (ほどう)' refers to a paved path or walkway designated for pedestrians, typically found alongside roads or streets. It is a dedicated space for people to walk, separate from the vehicle traffic. For example: Please walk on the sidewalk - (歩道を歩いてください). The sidewalk is crowded today - (歩道が混雑しています).

道路: "Road". The Japanese noun '道路 (どうろ)' means 'road'. This word refers to a paved or unpaved path that is intended for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians to travel on. Roads can range from small local streets to large expressways and highways. Some example sentences: We drove down the long country road - (長い田舎道を運転しました). The road was blocked due to construction - (工事のため道路が塞がれていました).

横断歩道: "Crosswalk". The Japanese noun '横断歩道(おうだんほどう)' refers to a designated area on a road where pedestrians can safely cross. It is marked by painted lines or signs to indicate the crossing point. Pedestrians are expected to use the crosswalk when available, as it alerts drivers to the presence of people crossing. For example: I always use the crosswalk to get to the other side of the street - (道を渡るときは、いつも横断歩道を使います).

片道: "One-way". The noun '片道 (かたみち)' means 'one-way'. It refers to a journey or route in only one direction, without returning the same way. This term is commonly used when discussing transportation, such as a one-way ticket or a one-way street. For example: I bought a one-way ticket to Tokyo - (私は東京への片道切符を買った). The highway is one-way today - (今日、高速道路は片道になっている).

柔道: "Judo". 柔道 (じゅうどう)' refers to the Japanese martial art of judo, which involves grappling and throwing techniques. Judo emphasizes the efficient use of balance and leverage to throw an opponent to the ground. It is known for its focus on utilizing an opponent's force against them rather than brute strength. Judo is practiced both as a sport and a method of self-defense. Examples: He practices judo - (彼は柔道を練習する). Judo is a Japanese martial art - (柔道は日本の武道である).

道具: "Tool". The Japanese noun '道具 (どうぐ)' refers to a tool or instrument used to perform a specific task or function. It can be something as simple as a pencil or as complex as a power tool. '道具' is a very versatile word that can be used in many contexts, such as: I need to buy new tools for my workshop - (私は工場の新しい道具を買う必要がある). This screwdriver is a useful tool - (このドライバーは便利な道具です).

書道: "Calligraphy". The Japanese noun '書道 (しょどう)' refers to the traditional Japanese art of calligraphy. It involves the skillful writing of characters using a brush and ink. Calligraphy is highly valued in Japanese culture and is considered a refined and sophisticated form of artistic expression. Examples: She is studying calligraphy - (彼女は書道を勉強している). Calligraphy exhibition - (書道展)

鉄道: "Railway" or "Railroad". The Japanese noun '鉄道 (てつどう)' refers to a railway or railroad system. It encompasses the infrastructure, trains, and overall transportation service provided by a network of rail tracks and stations. This word is commonly used to describe public transportation by rail, such as passenger train lines. For example: I took the railway to work - (私は鉄道で仕事に行きました). The high-speed railway connects the two cities - (高速鉄道がその二つの都市を結んでいます).

赤道: "Equator". The Japanese noun '赤道 (せきどう)' refers to the imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres and is equidistant from the North and South Poles. It is an important geographical and astronomical concept. For example: The equator runs through the middle of Africa - (赤道はアフリカの真ん中を通っている). The sun is directly overhead at the equator at noon - (正午に赤道の上空で太陽は真上にある).

高速道路: "Highway". The Japanese noun '高速道路 (こうそくどうろ)' means 'highway'. This term refers to a high-speed, limited-access road designed for vehicular traffic, typically with multiple lanes and a median separating opposing traffic. Highways in Japan are an important part of the transportation infrastructure, facilitating efficient long-distance travel. For example: They drove on the highway to get to the city - (彼らは街に行くためにハイウェイを走った). The highway was busy with traffic - (高速道路は交通が込んでいた).

道徳: "Morals". The Japanese noun '道徳 (どうとく)' refers to a system of moral principles and values that guide human behavior and conduct. It encompasses the principles of right and wrong, as well as the ethical standards that a person or society upholds. '道徳' is often associated with virtues such as honesty, integrity, and respect for others. For example: The students learned about moral philosophy in their ethics class - (学生たちは倫理の授業で道徳哲学について学んだ). Maintaining good morals is important in society - (社会において良い道徳を保つことは大切だ).

筋道: "Reasoning". The noun '筋道 (すじみち)' refers to a logical line of reasoning or argument. It implies a clear, coherent flow of thought that leads to a conclusion. This word can be used to describe a well-structured and rational approach to solving a problem or making a decision. For example: His argument had a clear logic and reasoning - (彼の議論は筋道が立っていた). The proposal lacked a clear rationale - (その提案には筋道がなかった).

水道: "Water pipe". The Japanese noun '水道 (すいどう)' refers to a water pipe or water supply system. It is used to describe the infrastructure that provides clean, running water to homes, buildings, and other locations. '水道' can also be used to refer to the municipal water supply service. For example: Turn on the water pipe - (水道をひらく). The water pipe was leaking - (水道がもれていた).

街道: "Highway". The Japanese noun '街道 (かいどう)' refers to a major road or highway that connects towns and cities. These highways were historically important transportation routes and were often lined with inns, post stations, and other facilities to serve travelers. '街道' highways are typically wider and straighter than local roads, allowing for faster and more efficient travel between population centers. For example: The highway is the quickest way to get to the city - (街道はその街に行く最速の道です)

地下道: "Underpass". The Japanese noun '地下道 (ちかどう)' refers to an 'underpass', which is an underground passage or tunnel that allows pedestrians or vehicles to cross under a road, railway, or other obstacle. This type of structure is commonly found in urban areas to facilitate the flow of traffic and make it safer for people to cross. For example: The pedestrian underpass connects the two sides of the busy street - (歩行者地下道は、混雑した道路の両側を接続している).

近道: "Shortcut". The Japanese noun '近道 (ちかみち)' means 'shortcut'. This word refers to a route or path that is more direct and saves time compared to the usual or expected route. It can be used to describe a physical path that is shorter than the main road, or it can be used metaphorically to refer to a quicker or more efficient way of achieving a goal. For example: Let's take the shortcut to get there faster - (そこに早く着くため近道を取ろう). This is the shortcut to success - (これが成功への近道だ).

使い道: "Use" or "Purpose". The Japanese noun '使い道 (つかいみち)' refers to the way something is used or the purpose for which it is intended. It describes how an object, resource, or skill can be applied or utilized. For example: This machine has many uses - (この機械には様々な使い道がある). What is the purpose of this tool? - (この道具の使い道は何ですか?)

報道: "Report". The verbal noun '報道 (ほうどう)' means 'report'. It refers to the act of delivering information or news to the public through various media channels such as newspapers, television, radio, or online platforms. It can describe the process of gathering, writing, and disseminating news stories. For example: The news report was broadcast on television - (その報道はテレビで放送された). The newspaper published the latest report - (新聞社が最新の報道を掲載した).

神道: "Shintoism". 神道 (しんとう) is the indigenous religion of Japan, focused on ritual practices to be carried out diligently to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. Shintoism involves the worship of kami, or spirits/essences, that are believed to be present in nature, including mountains, rivers, and even storms. It is considered the oldest religion in Japan, with origins dating back to the 8th century CE. Shintoism is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and society, with many festivals, shrines, and practices that reflect its influence. For example: Shinto shrines can be found throughout Japan - (日本中にある神道の神社). Shintoism is an important part of Japanese culture - (神道は日本文化の重要な一部である).

回り道: "Detour". The noun '回り道 (まわりみち)' means 'detour'. This word refers to a longer or less direct route that one takes to reach a destination, often done to avoid obstacles or take a more scenic path. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses. For example: I had to take a detour due to the road construction - (道工事のため回り道をしなければならなかった). We took a detour to see the beautiful countryside - (きれいな田舎を見るため回り道をした).

道場: "Dojo". The Japanese word '道場 (どうじょう)' refers to a training hall or practice facility, typically associated with traditional Japanese martial arts. A dojo is a dedicated space where students learn and practice techniques under the guidance of an instructor. Dojos often have a formal, structured environment and are used for activities such as judo, karate, kendo, and other martial arts. For example: I train at the local dojo - (私は地元の道場で練習しています). The students lined up in the dojo - (生徒たちは道場の中に整列していました).

修道: "Monastic". The noun '修道 (しゅうどう)' refers to the monastic way of life, usually associated with Buddhist or Christian religious orders. It describes the spiritual practices, discipline, and asceticism that monks and nuns undertake in monasteries or convents. For example: He devoted his life to the monastic way - (彼は修道の生活に捧げていた). The monastics meditated for hours every day - (修道士たちは毎日何時間も瞑想していた).

逃げ道: "Escape route". The Japanese noun '逃げ道 (にげみち)' means 'escape route'. This noun refers to a path or way of escape, a means of getting away from a dangerous or difficult situation. It implies having an option to flee or avoid a threat. For example: There is an escape route through the back door - (裏口から逃げ道がある). He found an escape route and ran away - (逃げ道を見つけて逃げ出した).

国道: "Highway". The Japanese noun '国道 (こくどう)' refers to a national highway or expressway in Japan. These are major roads operated and maintained by the national government, connecting different parts of the country. They are typically wide, with multiple lanes in each direction to facilitate high-speed traffic flow. For example: I took the national highway to get to the city - (私は国道を使って街へ行った). The highway was crowded during rush hour - (国道は渋滞していた)

寄り道: "Detour" or "Side trip". The Japanese verbal noun '寄り道 (よりみち)' refers to making a detour or taking a side trip while on the way to one's main destination. It implies a temporary deviation from the direct or planned route. This word is often used when describing an unplanned stop or side excursion, such as stopping to visit a friend or check out a shop along the way to your primary destination. Examples: I made a detour to the park on my way home - (家に帰る途中、公園に寄り道した). Let's take a side trip to the museum - (博物館に寄り道しましょう).

道順: "Directions". The noun '道順 (みちじゅん)' refers to the directions or route to reach a specific destination. It describes the specific path or course that one should follow to get to a particular place. For example: Could you tell me the directions to the station? - (駅への道順を教えてください). The directions are complicated - (道順がわかりづらい).

軌道: "Orbit". The noun '軌道 (きどう)' means 'orbit'. It refers to the curved path that an object, such as a planet or satellite, takes around another object in space. '軌道' is used to describe the revolution of a celestial body around another body, often in the context of astronomy and spacecraft. For example: The satellite is in a stable orbit - (人工衛星は安定した軌道を描いている). The planets orbit the sun - (惑星は太陽の軌道を回っている).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "ど" is read as "do". The hiragana "う" is read as "u". The hiragana "み" is read as "mi". And The hiragana "ち" is read as "chi".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.