程度

• Pinyin: chéng dù
• Hanzi breakdown: 程 = 禾 (grain) + 呈 (to present), originally related to measuring grain, meaning standard or distance; 度 = 广 (shelter) + 又 (hand), meaning measure or degree

Meaning

Degree; level; extent. The intensity, depth, or stage of something.

Used to describe the level or extent of a quality, condition, or achievement. Common in phrases like 一定程度上 (to a certain extent), 在某种程度上 (to some degree), 文化程度 (education level), and 严重程度 (degree of severity).

Examples

1. 他的中文水平达到了很高的程度。 His Chinese proficiency has reached a very high level.
2. 在一定程度上，这个问题是可以解决的。 To a certain extent, this problem can be solved.
3. 不同学生的学习程度不太一样。 Different students have varying levels of learning.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, evaluation, everyday

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 你的受伤程度怎么样？(How serious is your injury?)
• 在很大程度上，成功取决于努力。(To a large extent, success depends on effort.)

Don't Say

• 她很程度 (Don't use 程度 as an adjective — it is a noun; say 她的程度很高 for 'her level is high')

Origin & History

Compound of 程 (journey, distance, standard) and 度 (measure, degree), together meaning the measured level or extent of something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal