风度
fēng dù · HSK 5
elegant demeanor
🎩 风 (wind) + 度 (measure/bearing) = the wind of one's bearing → poise
Compound of 风 fēng 'wind, manner, style' and 度 dù 'measure, degree, bearing'. Together they name the 'measured style' a man carries — his grace, composure, and dignified demeanor.
风 — 几 (table) + 虫 (insect)
Originally written 鳳 (phoenix), later simplified. The traditional form 風 contains 虫 (insect), reflecting an old belief that wind brought insects or that creatures stirred with the wind. The modern simplified 风 keeps 几 as an outer frame around 㐅.
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.