Nuance & Usage
道 means road or path in the physical sense, but also "way" or "path" in an abstract/philosophical sense — as in 茶道 (sadou — the way of tea), 武道 (budou — martial arts, literally "the way of the warrior"), 道徳 (doutoku — morality). Everyday expressions: 道を聞く (michi o kiku — ask for directions), 道に迷う (michi ni mayou — get lost), この道をまっすぐ行く (go straight on this road).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 道 (michi — road/path) with 通り (toori — street, boulevard, avenue). 道 is more general and can refer to any path, while 通り often refers to named streets in a city. Also, don't confuse 道 with 方 (hou — direction, way of doing something). For asking directions: 道を教えてください (Please tell me the way) is a key travel phrase.
Example Sentences (3)
すみません、駅への道を教えてください。
すみません、えきへのみちをおしえてください。
Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station?
この道をまっすぐ行ってください。
このみちをまっすぐいってください。
Please go straight down this road.
道に迷ってしまいました。
みちにまよってしまいました。
I got lost.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N54 questionsTest your knowledge of 道 with 4 different question types.
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