道 (dao) means "the way of doing thing" in modern-day Chinese as well. For instance, 王道 means the "the way of governing". 路 is more common for the literal meanin

道 (dao) means "the way of doing thing" in modern-day Chinese as well. For instance, 王道 means the "the way of governing". 路 is more common for the literal meaning of "road", though 道 has a meaning of both "road" and "waterway" as well.