道みちのり

also: どうてい

み

ち

の

り

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

distance; journey; itinerary

Refers to the physical distance or route of a trip. Often used when talking about how far or how long a journey is.

駅えきまではまだ道みちのりが長

なが

い

。

It's still a long way to the station.

ここから山さん頂ちょうまでの道みちのりは約やく5キロです。

The distance from here to the summit is about 5 kilometers.

2

noun

path; way; process

Figurative use: the path toward a goal, the process of achieving something, or the journey of life. Often used in motivational or reflective contexts.

成せい功こうへの道みちのりは険けわしい。
The path to success is steep.
彼かれは夢ゆめを叶かなえるまでの道みちのりを語かたった。
He talked about the journey to realizing his dream.

Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉までの道みちのりthe distance/route to a place
駅えきまでの道みちのりは思おもったより長ながかった。
The distance to the station was longer than I thought.
道みちのりが長ながいthe journey/distance is long
この山やまの頂ちょう上じょうまでの道みちのりはとても長ながい。
The journey to the summit of this mountain is very long.
〈事こと〉への道みちのりthe path toward achieving something
夢ゆめの実じつ現げんへの道みちのりは決けっして平へい坦たんではなかった。
The path to realizing my dream was never smooth.
長ながい道みちのりを経へてafter a long journey/process
長ながい道みちのりを経へて、ついに目もく標ひょうを達たっ成せいした。
After a long journey, I finally achieved my goal.
道みちのりを歩あゆむto walk/follow a path (figurative)
彼かれは苦く難なんの道みちのりを歩あゆんできた。
He has walked a path full of hardships.

Kanji

道road-way, street, district
程extent, degree, law

Related words

距きょ離りN3sense 1
距離 is the neutral, measurable term for physical distance, while 道のり emphasizes the route or journey actually traveled.
行こう程ていN1sense 1
行程 refers to a planned itinerary or schedule of travel, whereas 道のり focuses on the distance or path itself.
旅たびN3sense 1
旅 focuses on the experience of traveling, while 道のり highlights the distance or route covered during the trip.
過か程ていN2sense 2
過程 means the process or stages of something in general, while 道のり figuratively describes the journey or path toward a goal.
道みちN5sense 2
道 is the basic, general word for 'way' or 'path', while 道のり specifically emphasizes the length or difficulty of the journey toward a goal.

Don't confuse with

道みち順じゅんN2sense 1
道のり refers to the total distance or length of a journey, while 道順 refers to the specific directions or route to take.

Written forms

道みちのりUsage69%
Most common spelling for both literal and figurative senses. Preferred in modern usage.
道程Usage31%
- みちのり
  Also common, but can be read どうてい. The reading みちのり is standard for this kanji form.

Etymology

Compound of 道 (みち, 'road') + のり (from 乗り, 'riding' or 'distance traveled'). The のり part originally referred to the distance one could travel by riding, later generalized to mean 'distance' or 'journey'.

どうてい

Rare literary reading; may be encountered in older or formal texts.

どうてい