道徳

• Reading: どうとく
• Romaji: doutoku
• Kanji breakdown: 道 (dou/michi) — way, path; 徳 (toku) — virtue, merit
• Pronunciation: /doː.to.kɯ/

Meaning

Morals; ethics; morality. Principles of right and wrong behaviour.

A noun for moral principles and ethics. In Japanese schools, 道徳 is also a mandatory subject (道徳の授業 / doutoku no jugyou, moral education class). Used broadly: 道徳的 (doutoku-teki, moral/ethical), 道徳心 (doutoku-shin, moral sense), 道徳観 (doutoku-kan, moral values). Carries a formal, somewhat philosophical tone.

Examples

1. 小学校で道徳の授業が毎週ある。 There's a moral education class every week in elementary school.
2. 道徳的に正しいかどうか自分で判断しなければならない。 You have to judge for yourself whether something is morally right.
3. 社会の道徳が時代とともに変わっていく。 Society's morals change with the times.

Usage Guide

Context: education, philosophy, social discussion

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 道 (dou, way/path) and 徳 (toku, virtue/merit). Literally 'the way of virtue' — a concept deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy, where 道 represents the proper path and 徳 the moral character to walk it.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal