温度计
wēn dù jì · HSK 7
thermometer
🌡️ 温度 = temperature + 计 = meter/gauge, so a temperature-meter
Breaks into 温度 (temperature, literally warm + degree) plus 计, the same meter/gauge ending in 体温计 body-thermometer and 计算 to calculate. A device that counts degrees of warmth.
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.
计 — speech radical 讠 (言) + ten 十
计 is a semantic compound: 言 'speech/words' plus 十 'ten', suggesting counting or reckoning aloud. The original sense was to calculate or tally numbers, which extended to 'plan, scheme, plot' — any kind of mental reckoning. Modern uses like 计算 (calculate) and 计划 (plan) preserve both threads.