刻度 (kè dù) — graduation marks, scale markings (on a measurin…

Definition

noun

graduation marksscale markings (on a measuring instrument or vessel)

Measure word · 个

刻度。
Wēn dù jì shàng de kè dù xiǎn shì xiàn zài shì sān shí wǔ dù.
The scale markings on the thermometer show it's now 35 degrees.
刻度，。
Zhè ge liáng bēi de kè dù bù zhǔn, xū yào chóng xīn jiào zhǔn.
The graduations on this measuring cup are inaccurate and need recalibration.
，刻度。
Àn xià àn niǔ shí, yí biǎo pán de kè dù huì fā guāng.
When you press the button, the scale markings on the dashboard light up.

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.

刻kèmark or engrave

度dùscale or degree

刻 refers to marking or engraving, and 度 to a scale, giving the marked scale on an instrument.

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.

亥刂刻

Meaning part形符xíngfú

刂Written in full as刀dāo

Sound part声符shēngfú

亥

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

刻 is made of 刂, a form of 刀 (knife), and 亥, which gives the sound.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

石

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.

Appears in