wong4 dou6王道

Jyutpingwong4 dou6

Yalewòhng douh

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Rule by benevolence and righteousness, or more commonly, the best, most ideal, or only proper way to do things.

the best, most ideal, or most effective way
literarythe kingly way; governing a state through benevolence and righteousness

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

Originally a classical political concept referring to rule by virtue rather than force, the term has evolved into a popular buzzword for the ultimate or most effective solution to a problem. It is frequently used in casual conversation to assert that a specific strategy or priority is the absolute best approach. It carries a slightly dramatic or emphatic tone when applied to trivial matters.

Examples

喺hai2呢ni1個go3行hong4業，jip6實sat6力lik6先sin1係hai6王wong4道。

In this industry, ability is the only thing that matters.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得bin1邊zung3種fong1方faat3法sin1先hai6係wong4王dou6道aa4呀？

Which method do you think is the best one?

Common phrases

sat6實lik6力sin1先hai6係wong4王dou6道

ability is the only thing that matters

zaan6賺cin2錢hai6係wong4王dou6道

making money is the ultimate goal

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal reference to royalty or government policy. In modern colloquial speech, it is almost exclusively used metaphorically to describe the most reliable or successful way to achieve a goal.