1.
the way of heaven; divine providence; natural justice
The moral order governing the universe. The principle that heaven rewards good and punishes evil.
天道は正しい者を守る。
Heaven protects those who are righteous.
天道に背くことはできない。
One cannot go against the way of heaven.
悪事を働けば天道が許さないと言われている。
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.
天道が高い日だ。
The sun is high today.
天道干しにする。
To dry something in the sun.
天道虫は天道に向かって飛ぶことからその名がついた。
The ladybug got its name because it flies toward the sun.
Composed of 天 (heaven) + 道 (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 reflects the Confucian and Buddhist idea that the universe has an inherent moral order. The proverb 天道は正しい expresses faith that justice will prevail.
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 天道虫: ladybug — named for its tendency to fly toward the sun
- 天道干し: sun-drying
- 非道: inhumanity — literally "against the way"
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 天道に背く: to go against the way of heaven
- 天道に従う: to follow the way of heaven
- 天道是か非か: whether heaven is just or not
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 天命: heaven's mandate, destiny — what heaven has decreed for a person
- 因果応報: karma, cause and effect — similar concept of cosmic justice
- 摂理: divine providence — a more formal, philosophical term