Definition

1. Noun:

   • Devious path; wicked way: Refers to cunning, deceitful, or morally corrupt methods and practices. It describes a path of trickery and underhandedness.
   • Sorcery; black magic: Can refer to practices involving dark magic, witchcraft, or the occult.

2. Adjective:

   • Devious; treacherous; wicked: Describes a person, action, or method that is characterized by cunning, deceit, and moral corruption.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Hắn ta đi vào ma đạo. (He has gone down a wicked path.)
  • Truyền thuyết kể về pháp sư dùng ma đạo. (Legends tell of a sorcerer who used black magic.)

• Adjective:

  • Âm mưu đó thật ma đạo. (That plot is truly devious.)
  • Hắn có một trí tuệ ma đạo. (He has a treacherous cunning.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in literary or dramatic contexts to describe profound moral corruption or mystical evil, beyond simple dishonesty.

Variants and Related Words

• Tà đạo (n): Heresy; wicked doctrine. A related concept often contrasting with righteous or orthodox paths.
• Yêu đạo (n): Demonic way; path of demons. Often used similarly in folklore and fantasy.

Synonyms

• Deviousness: The quality of being deceitful and underhanded.
• Treachery: Betrayal of trust; deceptive action.
• Sorcery: The use of magic, especially evil magic.

Related Idioms

• Bước chân vào ma đạo: To set foot on the wicked path; to begin a life of corruption or dark practices.
  • Sai lầm tuổi trẻ khiến anh ta bước chân vào ma đạo. (The mistakes of youth led him to set foot on the wicked path.)