How many strokes does the Chinese character "道" (dào) have?
"道" has 12 strokes in Simplified Chinese. Its primary dictionary radical is 辶, and you can animate or practice writing every stroke in order using the interactive grid on this page.
Ready · 12 strokes
Speed:
Strength & Mythic Symbols
Name: Good with Pairing
Tattoo: Safe & Classic
道 Dao / Way in Chinese (dào)
Dictionary Summary
道 (dào) means road; path (CL:條|条[tiao2],股[gu3]); (bound form) way; reason; principle; (bound form) a skill; an art; a specialization. Simplified form has 12 strokes under radical 辶.
Pinyin & Tonedào (Tone 4)
Simplified / Trad.道 / 道
Radical辶
Total Strokes12 strokes
StructureBottom-Left Wrap (辶 + 首)
Unicode / LevelU+9053 · HSK 2
Native Naming & Tattoo Safety Review
🪪 Using “道” in a Chinese Name · Good with Pairing (Masculine-leaning)
Deeply philosophical and classical (e.g., 道远, 怀道, 秉道). Very dignified, though slightly grand for casual daily nicknames.
✒️ Using “道” for a Tattoo · Safe & Classic
Perhaps the most universally respected philosophical single character in East Asian culture—signifying the Way, truth, and natural order.
Character Etymology & CC-CEDICT Meanings
Origin & Visual Logic: Head/mind (首) combined with road/walking (辶): the path walked with mindful awareness.
| Traditional / Simplified | Pinyin | CC-CEDICT Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| 道 / 道 | dào | road; path (CL:條|条[tiao2],股[gu3]); (bound form) way; reason; principle; (bound form) a skill; an art; a specialization |
Lexical entries derived from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Make Me a Hanzi (APL / LGPL-3.0).
Common Words & Idioms Using “道”
| Chinese Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 道德 | dàodé | morality; the Dao and Virtue | |
| 道理 | dàolǐ | principle; reason | |
| 茶道 | chádào | the Way of Tea |
English Names Using “道” in Our Curated Recommendations
See how native speakers pair 道 (dào) into modern Chinese names:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "道" good to use in a real Chinese name?
Rating: Good with Pairing (Masculine-leaning). Deeply philosophical and classical (e.g., 道远, 怀道, 秉道). Very dignified, though slightly grand for casual daily nicknames.
Is "道" safe as a Chinese character tattoo?
Tattoo rating: Safe & Classic. Perhaps the most universally respected philosophical single character in East Asian culture—signifying the Way, truth, and natural order.