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热度 (rè dù) — level of heat, temperature; (fig.) popularity, enthusiasm, buzz

Definition

热度 is most often used figuratively for 'buzz' or 'popularity' of a topic, event, or product (e.g., a new movie). The literal 'heat level' sense is less common in everyday talk — 体温 for body temperature, 热量 for calories/heat energy.

noun
level of heattemperature(fig.) popularityenthusiasmbuzz

Examples

  • 热度，。
    Kǎo xiāng de rè dù tài gāo, dàn gāo kǎo hú le.
    The oven heat level is too high — the cake got burnt.
  • 热度。
    Zhè bù xīn diàn yǐng de rè dù chí xù shàng shēng.
    The buzz for this new movie keeps rising.
  • 热度。
    Tā zuò shì de rè dù zǒng shì bǎo chí dé hěn hǎo.
    He always maintains a good level of enthusiasm for work.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

热rèheat
度dùdegree

The 热 and 度 combine as a degree of heat, then figuratively as popular intensity.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 熱; 热 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
灬Written in full as火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì熱rè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 熱 pairs 埶 with 火 (written as 灬) to show heat, while 埶 gives a sound.

Open 热 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
又又yòuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
石
石shí度dù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

度 has 又 (hand) and a changed form of 石; 石 gives a related sound, and the hand is tied to using the hand as a reference for measurement.

Open 度 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.