天道(てんとう)

てんとう
noun
the way of heaven; natural justice; the sun
formalabstract
1. the way of heaven; divine providence; natural justice
The moral order governing the universe. The principle that heaven rewards good and punishes evil.
天道(てんとう)は正(ただ)しい者(もの)を守(まも)る。
Heaven protects those who are righteous.
天道(てんとう)に背(そむ)くことはできない。
One cannot go against the way of heaven.
悪事(あくじ)を働(はたら)けば天道(てんとう)が許(ゆる)さないと言(い)われている。
It is said that if you do evil deeds, heaven will not forgive you.
2. the sun; sunlight
An old or dialectal term for the sun, still used in some set expressions and compound words.
天道(てんとう)が高(たか)い日(ひ)だ。
The sun is high today.
天道(てんとう)干(ぼ)しにする。
To dry something in the sun.
天道虫(てんとうむし)は天道(てんとう)に向(む)かって飛(と)ぶことからその名(な)がついた。
The ladybug got its name because it flies toward the sun.

Composed of 天(てん) (heaven) + 道(とう) (way, path). This word bridges philosophy and nature — referring both to cosmic moral order and literally to the sun.

Cultural note

The concept of 天道(てんとう) reflects the Confucian and Buddhist idea that the universe has an inherent moral order. The proverb 天道(てんとう)は正(ただ)しい expresses faith that justice will prevail.

Compounds

  • 天道虫(てんとうむし): ladybug — named for its tendency to fly toward the sun
  • 天道(てんとう)干(ぼ)し: sun-drying
  • 非道(ひどう): inhumanity — literally "against the way"

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 天命(てんめい) (heaven's mandate, destiny)
Compare: 因果応報(いんがおうほう) (karma, cause and effect)
general
Added 2026.4.23 23:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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