The word 味道 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning that merges into a single concept. The first character, 味 (wèi), directly signifies "taste" or "flavor", referring to the physical sensation perceived by the tongue. The second, 道 (dào), originally means "path" or "way", but here is used in its abstract sense of "principle" or "the nature of something". When combined, the literal "path of flavor" evolves metaphorically to mean the overall, often intangible, "character" or "essence" of an experience, thus encompassing not just physical taste, but also smell, atmosphere, and the qualitative feel of something.