The word "bushido" is composed of three Japanese characters: 武 (bu) and 士 (shi) which together mean "warrior," and 道 (do) which means "way."

The word "do" can also be translated as "path," "principle," or "teaching," depending on the context.

Therefore, the word "bushido" can be translated as "the way of the warrior," "the warrior's path," or "the warrior's principles."

Bu-shi-do can also, and more literally, translate to Military-Knight-Way, which was the manner in which fighting nobles should engage in daily life as well as their vocation.