Dao is the Chinese concept that names the Way in Taoist philosophy.
Written 道, dao can mean a way, path, method, or course. In Taoist philosophy, it refers to the underlying way or process of reality, though it is not usually treated as a creator deity or a person-like ruler. The opening of the Tao Te Ching famously warns that a dao that can be fully expressed in ordinary language is not the constant Dao.
The Dao is associated with naturalness, spontaneity, and the patterned transformation of the world. Taoist texts often recommend living in harmony with it rather than imposing rigid schemes on nature and society.
Dao is sometimes confused with qi, the vital energy or material force discussed across several Chinese traditions, and with yin and yang, complementary aspects or tendencies in cosmology. The English spelling “Tao” reflects an older romanization, while “Dao” is the modern pinyin spelling.