Hokkaido
/ˌhɒk.aɪˈdoʊ/noun
Japan’s northernmost main island and its surrounding prefecture.
Did you know?The final element dō means a route or administrative circuit, linking Hokkaido’s name to Japan’s historical system of provinces rather than just an ordinary road.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese, before 600 CE
Old Chinese
道 (*dˤuʔ)
“A road, way, path, or route; later also a philosophical or administrative way.”
Middle Chinese, c. 600–900 CE
Middle Chinese
道 (dáwX)
“Way, road, route, or circuit.”
Early Japanese borrowing
Japanese
道 (dō)
“Way, road, or an administrative circuit; the Sino-Japanese reading of 道.”
1869
Japanese
北海道 (Hokkaidō)
“Northern Sea Circuit; the newly established name for Japan’s northern territory.”
Modern English
English
Hokkaido
“The Japanese island and prefecture, commonly rendered “Northern Sea Way” or “Northern Sea Circuit.””