taoism

Where does the word "taoism" come from? It comes from Chinese dào, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Taoism’s story begins in Chinese: dào meant “the way; the natural order of the universe.” Meaning 'the way', the central concept of a philosophy attributed to Laozi. It reached English by 1800s as Taoism. Coined by English-speaking scholars adding the suffix '-ism' to name the Chinese philosophy and religion. Today, taoism means a Chinese philosophical and religious tradition centered on living in harmony with the Tao, or natural way.

1. Stage 1 · Chinese · ancient dào "the way; the natural order of the universe", meaning 'the way', the central concept of a philosophy attributed to Laozi.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s Taoism "a Chinese philosophical and religious tradition centered on the Tao", coined by English-speaking scholars adding the suffix '-ism' to name the Chinese philosophy and religion.