限度 (xiàn dù) — limit, limitation | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

限度 (xiàndù) names a general limit or bound, often an inherent ceiling (e.g. 能力的限度). It is a static noun; for actively imposing a limit use the verb 限制. 界限 is a dividing line between things, and 期限 is a time deadline.

noun

limitlimitation

Examples

。
Rén de néng lì shì yǒu xiàn dù de.
A person's ability has its limits.
限度。
Zhè cì kǎo shì de shí jiān xiàn dù shì liǎng xiǎo shí.
The time limit for this exam is two hours.
限度。
Huā qián bù néng chāo guò zì jǐ de xiàn dù.
You can't spend beyond your own limits.

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.

度dùdegree

限 (limit) and 度 (degree) combine to mean the degree of limitation.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

⻖Written in full as阜fùmound

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn限xiàn

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

限 pairs ⻖ (mound, written 阜) with 艮 as a sound part; the mound side gives the sense of a boundary or limit.

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

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

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Abstract Concepts

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