道

• Pinyin: dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 道 = 辶 (movement radical) + 首 (head); originally depicting a person walking along a path

Meaning

A measure word for long narrow things, questions, orders, courses of food, and barriers.

Used to count questions on tests, dishes in a meal, cracks, scars, walls, doors, and other long or barrier-like things. Also counts rays of light and flashes of lightning. Very common in academic and dining contexts.

Examples

1. 这次考试一共有十道题。 This exam has ten questions in total.
2. 今天晚饭有四道菜。 There are four dishes for dinner tonight.
3. 那扇门上有一道裂缝。 There is a crack on that door.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, dining, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这道题太难了。(This question is too difficult.)
• 再来一道菜吧。(Let's order one more dish.)

Don't Say

• 不要用道来量圆形或短小的物品 — 道 is for long, narrow, or sequential things; for round objects use 个 or other appropriate measure words.

Origin & History

Originally meant 'road' or 'way.' Extended to a measure word for things associated with paths, barriers, and sequential items.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal