Meaning
The kanji 途 (ト, みち) means "way," "route," "road," or "path." It can describe a physical passage, a journey, or even a process. This character is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), or phono-semantic compound. This means it combines a semantic part that hints at its meaning with a phonetic part that suggests its pronunciation.
The left-hand radical, 辶 (しんにょう - shinnyou or 辵 - nyou), is key. It's linked to movement, roads, and walking, directly signaling the idea of a path or journey. The right-hand component, 余 (よ - yo), provides the phonetic hint. While its sound has changed in Japanese to 'to' or 'zu', the structure clearly points to the concept of a path or journey.
Think of 途 as connected to movement and following a course. It might refer to a real highway, or a less concrete "way" of doing something, like a method. This kanji has 10 strokes. It's a grade 8 kanji in Japanese educational standards, but it's vital for JLPT N2 learners. You'll often see it in vocabulary about travel, progress, and methods. Its radical, 辶 (辵), further emphasizes movement and paths.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi readings for 途 are mainly ト (to), with ズ (zu) appearing occasionally. You'll find these readings in compound words, especially those with other kanji of Chinese origin. ト is the most common reading and important to remember.
- 途中 (tochū) — meaning "on the way; en route; midway." This common compound shows you are in the middle of a journey or process.
- 用途 (yōto) — meaning "use; application." Here, 途 refers to the specific "way" something is used, or its purpose.
- 前途 (zento) — meaning "future prospects; the road ahead." This compound uses 途 to describe one's metaphorical path into the future.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main kun'yomi reading for 途 is みち (michi). While the kanji 道 (michi) is more commonly used for "road" or "path," 途 appears in native Japanese words, often with hiragana, to emphasize the journey or process.
- 道草 (michikusa) — meaning "loitering on the way; dawdling." This phrase literally means "grass on the road" and metaphorically describes stopping along a path, often for leisure or distraction.
- 帰り途 (kaerimichi) — meaning "the way home; the return trip." Here, 途 clearly marks the path taken to return.
Common Words & Compounds
You'll find 途 in many useful compounds, frequently related to travel, processes, or purpose. Learning these compounds will deepen your understanding of the kanji.
Travel & Movement
- 途中 (tochū) — on the way; in the middle of (a journey, process)
- 帰途 (kito) — the way back; return trip
- 万里の途 (banri no to) — a long, long journey (literally, a path of ten thousand ri)
Purpose & Application
- 用途 (yōto) — use; application; purpose
- 使途 (shito) — the use (of funds); application (of money)
- 使途不明金 (shito fumeikin) — unaccounted for money; funds of unknown use
Future & Prospects
- 前途 (zento) — future prospects; the road ahead
- 前途洋々 (zento yōyō) — bright future; promising future
- 途方 (tohō) — way; means. This word is often used in negative expressions, such as 途方に暮れる, meaning "to be at a loss" or "to be bewildered."
- 中途 (chūto) — midway; halfway; unfinished
Example Sentences
学校への途中で友達に会った。
Gakkō e no tochū de tomodachi ni atta.
I met a friend on the way to school.
新しい車の用途はたくさんある。
Atarashii kuruma no yōto wa takusan aru.
There are many uses for a new car.
彼は夢を叶える途中だ。
Kare wa yume o kanaeru tochū da.
He is on the way to fulfilling his dream.
仕事の帰途にスーパーに寄った。
Shigoto no kito ni sūpā ni yotta.
I stopped by the supermarket on my way home from work.
子供たちは公園への途上で道草をした。
Kodomotachi wa kōen e no tojō de michikusa o shita.
The children dawdled on the way to the park.
前途に何があるか誰にもわからない。
Zento ni nani ga aru ka dare ni mo wakaranai.
Nobody knows what lies ahead in the future.
長い旅の途上で様々な経験をした。
Nagai tabi no tojō de samazama na keiken o shita.
I had various experiences during my long journey.
計画は中途で変更された。
Keikaku wa chūto de henkō sareta.
The plan was changed midway.
Memory Tip
To remember 途, picture a person walking along a path. The 辶 (shinnyou) radical on the left suggests movement or a road. For the right part, 余, imagine someone standing with arms out, enthusiastically saying "Yo!" as they travel. This scene connects the components of the kanji directly to its meaning: "way," "route," or "journey," making it easier to recall.