湿度
shī dù · HSK 7
humidity level
💧🌡️ 湿 wet + 度 degree = the wet-degree, how much moisture is in the air
湿 means damp or moist; 度 means degree or measure, the same 度 as in 温度 temperature. Stack them and you get the measured degree of wetness: humidity level.
湿 — water 氵 + 㬎 (phonetic, 'visible')
湿 originally depicted dampness, combining the water radical 氵 with 㬎, which suggests sun shining on silk threads being dried. The water component carries the meaning 'wet/damp,' while 㬎 hints at the pronunciation. Modern simplified form 湿 replaced traditional 濕.
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.