the "human way", one of the stages in the cycle of reincarnation (Buddhism)
HSK 7, n, rank #12549, Hard
人道
réndào
sexual intercourse
HSK 7, n, rank #12549, Hard
réndào(ren2dao4) T2
1human sympathy
2humanitarianism
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
人道réndào(ren2dao4)
人道 (rén dào) refers to the principles of humanitarianism and human sympathy, emphasizing kindness and compassion towards others. It is often used in discussions about ethics, morality, and social responsibility, particularly in the context of helping those in need or advocating for human rights.
Frequency#12549DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 人道 is closely tied to Confucian values of benevolence (仁) and the importance of treating others with respect and kindness, reflecting a deep-seated belief in social harmony and responsibility towards fellow humans.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'man' (人) walking along a 'path' (道) that leads to a place filled with love and support for all humans. This path represents the journey of compassion and humane treatment that we must take in our lives.
Meanings of 人道
réndào(ren2dao4)
1human sympathy
2humanitarianism
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 人道
人道Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#12549Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 人道
Podcast: 人道
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 人道
Quick Contrast
人道 (réndào) vs 人性 (rénxìng) — use 人道 when emphasizing humanitarian principles, while 人性 focuses on human nature and characteristics.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'man' (人) walking along a 'path' (道) that leads to a place filled with love and support for all humans. This path represents the journey of compassion and humane treatment that we must take in our lives.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the context in which you use 人道, as it can imply both a moral philosophy and a more technical term related to reincarnation in Buddhism. It is generally used in formal contexts and can be easily confused with other similar terms related to human nature and ethics.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 人道 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to ethics and social issues. Students should focus on how to use it in discussions about morality and human rights, as well as recognizing its significance in Buddhist texts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 人道 is closely tied to Confucian values of benevolence (仁) and the importance of treating others with respect and kindness, reflecting a deep-seated belief in social harmony and responsibility towards fellow humans.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 人道 with similar terms like 人性 (human nature) or 道德 (morality), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '人道' when discussing human rights without the context of compassion could convey the wrong meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 人道
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 人道 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 人道 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 人道
人道 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
即便是作为一次____主义行动，它也不过是取得了有限的成功。
Even as a humanitarian mission it has been only a qualified success.
Example Sentences for 人道 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
即便是作为一次人道主义行动，它也不过是取得了有限的成功。
jí biàn shì zuò wéi yī cì rén dào zhǔ yì háng dòng， ， tā yě bù guò shì qǔ dé le yǒu xiàn de chéng。
Even as a humanitarian mission it has been only a qualified success.
Two of the trucks were stopped because they had tents in them, and under the commanders' definition of humanitarian aid, that didn't count.
3
那妇人道: “ 吃醋也轮得到你?
nà fù rén dào:“ : “ chī cù yě lún dé dào?
" What right have you to be jealous? " asked the widow.
Cultural Notes for 人道
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 人道 is closely tied to Confucian values of benevolence (仁) and the importance of treating others with respect and kindness, reflecting a deep-seated belief in social harmony and responsibility towards fellow humans.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, humanitarianism often focuses on organized efforts to relieve suffering, while in Chinese culture, it is deeply rooted in personal moral duty and social relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 人道
人道 can mean humanitarianism, the humane way, and even refer to certain Buddhist concepts, highlighting its diverse usage.
It is more common in formal discussions, particularly in academic or philosophical contexts, rather than casual conversation.
Focus on the context; 人道 emphasizes human compassion and ethics, while other terms may relate more to specific actions or behaviors.
