温度 (wēn dù) literally combines 温 (wēn), meaning 'warm' or 'mild', and 度 (dù), meaning 'degree' or 'measure'. Together, they form the standard Chinese term for 'temperature'—a physical quantity measuring how hot or cold something is. It’s used in scientific, medical, weather, and everyday contexts, such as checking body temperature, setting air conditioning, or describing weather conditions.

The word functions strictly as a noun and requires a measure word (e.g., 一度, 几度) when quantified. Unlike English, Chinese doesn’t use 'temperature' attributively without modification—so you’d say 温度计 (wēn dù jì, thermometer) or 温度高 (wēn dù gāo, 'temperature is high'), not *温度天气. It’s neutral in register and appears frequently in health reports, weather forecasts, and cooking instructions.