道教
Dàojiào
If you wonder how to say Taoism in Chinese, the word is 道教 (Dàojiào), the name of the traditional Chinese religion based on the teachings of Laozi.
道教 names Taoism as an organized religion, with its temples, priests and rituals. It is the standard term in both formal and everyday speech, and in Taiwan it is the most common word for Taoism.
What does it mean word for word?
道教 is made of 道 (dào), meaning the way or path and 教 (jiào), meaning religion or teaching.
Which one should you use?
道教 refers to the religion of Taoism. When you mean the philosophical school of Taoism, use 道家 (Dàojiā) instead.
How do you pronounce it?
道教 is pronounced Dàojiào, with a falling tone on both syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 道教 when you are talking about Taoist philosophy as a school of thought. For that, 道家 is the right word.
Did you know?
- The character 家 (jiā) in 道家 (Dàojiā) usually means 'home' or 'family', but here it functions as a suffix to denote a school of thought or a specialist group.
- Historically, 道教 emerged as a distinct organized religion with priests and rituals long after the philosophical ideas of 道家 were first written down.
- In modern Chinese, the character 教 (jiào) is also the root for the word for 'teacher' or 'to teach', linking the concept of religion directly to instruction.
Examples in context
- 我对道教很感兴趣。I am very interested in Taoism.
- 中国古代哲学中，道家与儒家齐名。In ancient Chinese philosophy, Taoism is equally famous as Confucianism.
- 道教的历史非常悠久。Dàojiào de lìshǐ fēicháng yōujiǔ.The history of Taoism is very long.
- 他在研究道教的思想。Tā zài yánjiū Dàojiào de sīxiǎng.He is studying the philosophy of Taoism.
- 有些建筑体现了道教文化。Yǒuxiē jiànzhù tǐxiànle Dàojiào wénhuà.Some buildings reflect Taoist culture.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a history textbook in a library.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，你知道道教是什么吗？Wěi, nǐ zhīdào Dàojiào shì shénme ma?Wei, do you know what Taoism is?
- 伟 Wei我听说它是一种古老的宗教。Wǒ tīngshuō tā shì yī zhǒng gǔlǎo de zōngjiào.I heard it is an ancient religion.
- 梓涵 Zihan没错，它的教义很有趣。Méi cuò, tā de jiàoyì hěn yǒuqù.That's right, its teachings are very interesting.
- 伟 Wei梓涵，我们可以一起讨论一下。Zǐhán, wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ tǎolùn yīxià.Zihan, we can discuss it together.
