湿度

• Pinyin: shī dù
• Hanzi breakdown: 湿 = 氵(water radical) + 显 (visible, apparent — phonetic); 度 = 广 + 廿 + 又 (degree, measure, extent)

Meaning

Humidity; moisture content. The amount of water vapour present in the air or in a material.

Used in meteorology (air humidity), industry (paper, textiles, electronics), agriculture, and indoor comfort. Key terms: 相对湿度 (relative humidity), 绝对湿度 (absolute humidity), 湿度计 (hygrometer), 湿度调节 (humidity regulation). High humidity combined with high temperature makes heat feel more oppressive (闷热).

Examples

1. 南方梅雨季节空气湿度极高，家中衣物和家具容易受潮发霉，需要经常开窗通风或使用除湿机。 During the plum-rain season in the south, the humidity is extremely high, so clothes and furniture at home easily become damp and moldy; you need to ventilate often or use a dehumidifier.
2. 精密电子元件的储存仓库对湿度有严格要求，全年须将相对湿度控制在百分之四十至六十之间。 Warehouses that store precision electronic components have strict humidity requirements and must keep relative humidity between 40% and 60% year-round.
3. 气象部门发布了高温高湿预警，提醒市民尽量减少户外活动，注意防暑防潮。 The meteorological department issued a high heat and high humidity warning, reminding residents to minimize outdoor activities and take precautions against heat and dampness.

Usage Guide

Context: meteorology, science, agriculture, industry, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 博物馆文物保存室安装了精密的温湿度自动监控系统，一旦湿度超出预设范围便立即触发报警并自动调节。(The museum's artefact preservation room is equipped with a precision automatic temperature and humidity monitoring system; if humidity exceeds the preset range, an alarm is immediately triggered and automatic adjustment is activated.)
• 今天的体感温度较高，主要原因是空气湿度偏高导致人体排汗散热的效率大幅下降。(Today's apparent temperature feels high, primarily because elevated air humidity has significantly reduced the efficiency of the body's sweat-based heat dissipation mechanism.)

Don't Say

• 湿度 to describe the wetness of a specific liquid or surface — use 含水量 (moisture/water content) for materials, or 潮湿程度 (degree of dampness) for surfaces

Origin & History

湿 (wet, moist) + 度 (degree, level, measure)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal