道 (dào) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Way," "Path," "Principle," "Teaching," or "Method."

• Central to Daoist philosophy.
• Modern meaning has largely remained similar, incorporating additional connotations such as "Tao" in philosophical contexts.
• Dào is the theme of Chapters 1-37 of Dao De Jing.

德 (dé) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Virtue," "Moral character," "Intrinsic quality," or "Power."

• Represents the active expression of the Dao.
• Modern meaning has evolved to include the sense of "Ethics" or "Morality."
• Dé is the theme of Chapters 38-81 of Dao De Jing.

无 (wú) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Nonexistence," "Not having," "Lack," "Negation," or "Without."

• Key to the Daoist idea of emptiness and non-attachment.
• Modern meaning has remained similar.

有 (yǒu) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Exist," "Having," "Possession," or "Being."

• Often contrasted with wú to express the interplay of opposites.
• Modern meaning has remained similar.

为 (wéi) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Act," "Do," "Serve," "Become," or "For."

• Central to the idea of wu wei (无为, non-action).
• Modern meaning has remained similar.

无为 (wú wéi) translates roughly to "Non-action" or "Effortless action."

• A foundational Daoist principle.
• See Chapters 2, 3, 10, 29, 37, 38, 43, 48, 57, and 63.
• Also see the notes in Chapter 16.

大 (dà) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Great," "Large," "Grand," "Vast," or "Significant."

• Frequently used to describe the Dao and the natural order.
• Modern meaning has remained similar.

常 (cháng) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Always," "Constant," or "Eternal."

• It is a key concept in Daoism, emphasizing the unchanging flow of the Dao in accordance with natural law.
• Modern meaning has evolved to include the sense of "ordinary" or "usual."

下 (xià) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Below," "Under," "Lower," or "Down."

• Often used metaphorically (e.g., rivers flowing downward).
• Modern meaning has remained similar, generally meaning "Below," "Under," or "Next."

知 (zhī) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Know," "Perceive," or "Awareness."

• It plays a crucial role in Daoist philosophy, often in contrast with deeper understanding or intuitive knowing.
• Modern meaning has remained similar.

天 (tiān) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Heaven," "Sky" or "Nature."

• Often represents the cosmic order.
• Modern meaning has remained similar, often meaning "Sky" or "Heaven."

地 (dì) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Earth," "Ground," "Land," "Soil," or "Territory."

• Complements Tiān in describing the natural world.
• Modern meaning has remained similar.

天道 (tiān dào) translates roughly to "The Way of Heaven."

• A naturalistic concept in Daoism.
• See Chapters 47 and 79.

生 (shēng) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Arise," "Begin," "Give Birth," "Generate," "Live," or "Grow."

• Central to Daoist ideas of nature and existence.
• Modern meaning has generally remained similar.

死 (sǐ) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Death," "Die," or "Perish."

• Contrasts with Shēng in discussions of the natural cycle.
• Modern meaning has largely remained similar.

道生 (dào shēng) translates roughly to "The Dao gives birth."

• A recurring phrase about creation.
• See Chapters 42 and 51.

自 (zì) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Self," "From," "By oneself," "Natural," "Inherent," or "Intrinsic."

• Related to Ziran (自然), meaning "Naturalness."
• See Chapters 17, 23, 25, and 51.
• Modern meaning has evolved to include the sense of "oneself," "autonomously," or "automatically."

圣 (shèng) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Sage," "Holy," "Sacred," or "Wise."

• Describes the ideal or enlightened ruler.
• Modern meaning has remained similar, often emphasizing "Saint" or "Sacred."

王 (wáng) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "King," "Ruler," or "Sovereign" in general.

• Modern meaning has evolved to include the sense of "Monarch" or "Leader."

人 (rén) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "Person," "Human," "Individual," "Man," or "People."

• Used in discussions about governance and the sage.
• Modern meaning has largely remained similar.

民 (mín) can be translated from around 300-200 BCE as: "People," "Commoners," "The Masses," "Citizens," or "Subjects."

• Often mentioned in governance-related passages.
• Modern meaning has remained similar.