導

Phono-semantic compound derived from 道 (road, way, principle) + 寸 (hand/measure):

道 (길 도) — semantic base, “road, path, way.”

寸 (hand, control, measure) — phonetic and functional, suggesting guidance with the hand.

Together, the character means “to lead someone along the way,” extending figuratively to “to instruct, to direct.”

Semantic range:

- to guide, to lead along a path;

- to instruct, to teach, to direct (in moral, educational, or technical sense);

- by extension: to channel, to transmit (as in electricity, information).

지도 (指導) — guidance, instruction

인도 (引導) — leading, guidance

지도자 (指導者) — leader, instructor

유도 (誘導) — inducement, guidance, judo

지도교수 (指導敎授) — academic advisor, supervising professor