尺度
chǐdù · HSK 7
measure
📏 尺 ruler + 度 degree = the standard scale you measure things by
A 尺 is a traditional Chinese foot-ruler giving fixed units. 度 means degree or gradation. Combined they express any yardstick or criterion for judgment.
尺 — pictograph of a hand measuring length
尺 originally depicted a hand stretched out to measure, representing a unit of length. It became the standard Chinese 'foot' (about 1/3 meter today). The character now means a ruler or the length unit 'chi'.
度 — 广 (shelter) + 庶 abbreviated (phonetic)
Originally depicted a hand measuring length under a shelter, meaning 'to measure' or 'a measure/standard.' From this came extended senses like 'degree,' 'extent,' and 'to pass through' (as in passing time). The reading 'dù' means degree/measure, while 'duó' preserves the older verbal sense of measuring.