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温带 (wēn dài) — temperate zone

Definition

The temperate zone — the latitude belt between the 寒带 (polar) and the 热带 (tropics), with moderate climate. Distinct from 温度, which is a physical measurement of heat, not a region.

noun
temperate zone

Examples

  • 温带。
    wēn dài De qì hòu bǐ jiào shū fu.
    The climate in the temperate zone is relatively comfortable.
  • 温带。
    Hěn duō guó jiā dōu zài wēn dài.
    Many countries are located in the temperate zone.
  • 温带。
    wēn dài De zhí wù zhǒng lèi fēi cháng duō.
    There are very many species of plants in the temperate zone.

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.

温wēnwarm
带dàizone

温 gives warmth and 带 gives zone, so the word names a temperate zone.

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 溫; 温 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 溫 is based on an older form 𥁕, which drew a person bathing in a container full of warm water. The simplified 温 is a later variant.

Open 温 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 帶; 带 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 帶 was drawn as a woven belt; the simplified 带 is a later shorthand.

Open 带 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6

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