Usage of 度 (dù)
The character 度 is versatile and commonly used in Mandarin to express degrees, levels, or counts. It often appears in contexts related to temperature, angles, or abstract measures such as seriousness or extent.
Common meanings
- Degree of temperature or angle (e.g., 三十度 for 30 degrees).
- Level or extent of a quality or action (e.g., 认真程度 meaning seriousness level).
- Number of times something happens (e.g., 好几度 meaning several times).
Typical collocations
- 气温度 (temperature degree): used when talking about weather.
- 程度 (chéngdù): degree or extent, often used to describe abstract qualities.
- 几度 (jǐ dù): how many times, used to ask or state frequency.
Notes
When using 度 to express frequency, it often follows words like 好几 (several) or 几 (how many). For levels or extents, it usually pairs with 程 (chéng) to form 程度. Avoid confusing 度 with 床 (bed) or 底 (bottom), which have different meanings and pronunciations.