度
Meanings
degree (angle, temperature, scale)
Used for numerical degrees in angles, temperature, coordinates, and similar scales. Often appears as a suffix.
Today's temperature exceeded 30 degrees.
A right angle is 90 degrees.
counter for occurrences
Counts how many times something happens. Used with numbers and often with verbs like ～する or ～がある.
He passed on his third attempt.
I've seen this movie twice.
strength (of glasses); prescription
Refers to the lens power of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Often used in phrases like 度が強い/弱い.
My eyesight has gotten worse lately, and my glasses prescription no longer matches.
Lenses with a strong prescription become thick.
alcohol content; ABV
Indicates the percentage of alcohol in a drink. Commonly seen on labels as ～度.
This sake has an alcohol content of 15%.
Beer is usually around 5% alcohol.
Abstract use for the level or bounds of something. Often appears in set phrases like 度を越す/過ごす (to go too far).
See also: 度を過ごす
Even a joke can hurt someone if it goes too far.
His kindness has its limits.
Rare, mostly in the fixed expression 度を失う (to lose one's composure). Not used freely in modern Japanese.
See also: 度を失う
He lost his composure at the sudden news.
Usage patterns
- 〈数〉度... degrees (of temperature, angle, etc.)
It seems the temperature will rise to 35 degrees tomorrow.
- 〈数〉度〜するto do something a certain number of times
He watched that movie three times.
- 〈数〉年に一度once every ... years
A big festival is held once every three years.
- 度が強い／弱い(of glasses) to have a strong/weak prescription
These glasses have such a strong prescription that they give me a headache.
- 〈数〉度のお酒alcohol with a certain percentage of ABV
This whiskey is as strong as 40% ABV.
- 度を越すto go too far; to exceed reasonable limits
His jokes always go too far.