🇻🇪 Help earthquake victims in Venezuela 🇻🇪
日

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Way'? | 道

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.

    kanji

    道

    Meaning

    Way

    Reading

    kunyomiみち

    michi

    onyomiどう

    dou

    Parts

    辶Walk 首Neck

    Example Word

    道: road or way. The Japanese noun '道 (みち)' primarily means 'road' or 'path', referring to a physical route for traveling. It can also mean 'way' in a more abstract sense, such as a method, principle, or journey. For example: This road is long「この道は長い」(このみちはながい). The way to success is hard「成功への道は難しい」(せいこうへのみちはむずかしい). The word is versatile and can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. It is also commonly found in compound words, such as '歩道 (ほどう)' (sidewalk) or '武道 (ぶどう)' (martial arts).

    Radical

    辵

    Stroke Count

    12

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    89

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 道

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    辶

    Meaning

    Walk

    kanji

    首

    Meaning

    Neck

道 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    導

    Meaning

    Lead, Guide

Words Using 道

This kanji is used in 29 words:

    word

    鉄道

    Meaning

    Railway

    word

    歩道

    Meaning

    Sidewalk

    word

    片道

    Meaning

    One way

    word

    近道

    Meaning

    Shortcut

    word

    使い道

    Meaning

    Use

    word

    高速道路

    Meaning

    Highway

    word

    赤道

    Meaning

    Equator

    word

    国道

    Meaning

    Highway

    word

    道場

    Meaning

    Dojo

    word

    街道

    Meaning

    Highway

    word

    寄り道

    Meaning

    Detour

    word

    水道

    Meaning

    Waterworks

    word

    軌道

    Meaning

    Track, Orbit

    word

    道順

    Meaning

    Route, Directions

    word

    車道

    Meaning

    Roadway

    word

    逃げ道

    Meaning

    Escape

    word

    道

    Meaning

    Road, Way

    word

    神道

    Meaning

    Shinto

    word

    報道

    Meaning

    Reporting

    word

    修道

    Meaning

    Asceticism

    word

    地下道

    Meaning

    Underground

    word

    柔道

    Meaning

    Judo

    word

    書道

    Meaning

    Calligraphy

    word

    回り道

    Meaning

    Detour

    word

    筋道

    Meaning

    Logic, Sequence

    word

    道徳

    Meaning

    Morality

    word

    横断歩道

    Meaning

    Crosswalk

    word

    道路

    Meaning

    Road

    word

    道具

    Meaning

    Tool

Kanji Related to 道 Through the Part 辶

These 18 kanji contain the part 辶 as well.

    kanji

    迫

    Meaning

    Urge, Press

    kanji

    追

    Meaning

    Follow

    kanji

    遊

    Meaning

    Play

    kanji

    迷

    Meaning

    Perplexed, Astray

    kanji

    遍

    Meaning

    All over, Everywhere

    kanji

    返

    Meaning

    Return

    kanji

    遜

    Meaning

    Humble

    kanji

    適

    Meaning

    Suitable

    kanji

    避

    Meaning

    Avoid, Dodge

    kanji

    逃

    Meaning

    Escape

    kanji

    逓

    Meaning

    Relay, Parcel post

    kanji

    通

    Meaning

    Commute, Pass

    kanji

    迭

    Meaning

    Alternate

    kanji

    遡

    Meaning

    Retrace the past, Go upstream

    kanji

    透

    Meaning

    Pass through, Transparent

    kanji

    途

    Meaning

    Way, Route

    kanji

    辺

    Meaning

    Boundary, Vicinity

    kanji

    連

    Meaning

    Take along

Learn the Kanji 道

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 道 mean?

道 means 'Way'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N4 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.