王道(おうどう)

おうどう
noun
the classic approach; royal road
1. the classic approach, the standard, the mainstream
The most typical, orthodox, or universally accepted way of doing something. In modern Japanese, often used to describe what is considered the definitive or quintessential example of something.
カレーライスは日本(にほん)の王道(おうどう)メニューだ。
Curry rice is a quintessential Japanese menu item.
この映画(えいが)は王道(おうどう)の恋愛(れんあい)ストーリーだ。
This movie is a classic love story.
王道(おうどう)の展開(てんかい)だが、やはり感動(かんどう)する。
It follows a classic plot, but it's still moving.
2. royal road, easy path, shortcut
From the expression "there is no royal road to learning" — a supposed easy shortcut to mastery. Often used in the negative (王道(おうどう)はない) to mean there are no shortcuts.
学問(がくもん)に王道(おうどう)なし。
There is no royal road to learning.
語学(ごがく)の上達(じょうたつ)に王道(おうどう)はない。
There are no shortcuts to improving your language skills.
ダイエットに王道(おうどう)はなく、地道(じみち)な努力(どりょく)が大切(たいせつ)だ。
There is no shortcut to dieting — steady effort is what matters.

Usage

Sense 1 is the dominant modern usage: 王道(おうどう) as "the classic, orthodox, or standard" version of something. It carries a positive nuance — the 王道(おうどう) approach is tried and true. Common in reviews, food discussions, and pop culture.

Sense 2 comes from the proverb 学問(がくもん)に王道(おうどう)なし ("there is no royal road to learning," attributed to Euclid). In this sense, 王道(おうどう) means an easy shortcut, and is almost always used in the negative.

Common collocations

  • 王道(おうどう)の～: classic ~, quintessential ~
  • ～に王道(おうどう)なし: there is no shortcut to ~
  • 王道(おうどう)展開(てんかい): classic plot development
  • 王道(おうどう)ファンタジー: classic fantasy (genre)

Related Words

Compare: 定石(じょうせき) (established pattern)
general
Added 2026.2.25 22:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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