Ondo is the Japanese word for ‘temperature’, explained

What does “ondo” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “ondo” to mean ‘temperature’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand “ondo” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meaning of “ondo”
• What does “ondo” literally mean in Japanese?
  • Example #1: how to say “temperature” in Japanese
  • Example #2: another usage of “ondo”
• Summary

Definition and meaning of “ondo”

Let me start with the definition and meaning of “ondo”.

• ondo – 温度 (おんど) : a noun meaning ‘temperature’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.

The definition and meanings are simple and clear. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.

What does “ondo” literally mean in Japanese?

The kanji expression of “ondo” consists of the following two kanji characters:

• 温 : a kanji character used to mean ‘warmness’ in Japanese.
• 度 : a kanji character used to mean ‘degree’ in Japanese.

From these two kanji characters, we can understand that the formed noun literally means ‘the degree of warmness’ in Japanese. This literal interpretation is very close to the actual meaning, I think.

When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about the meanings of the expressions they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “ondo” through the detailed kanji check above.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “ondo” together with its kanji characters. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentences below.

Example #1: how to say “temperature” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “kanojo” to make the subject in the sentence.
• mizu – 水 (みず) : a noun meaning ‘water’ in Japanese.
• no – の : a case particle joining two nouns. Normally, the first one can work as a modifier to describe the second. In the example, this works to join “mizu” and “ondo”. The formed phrase literally means ‘the temperature of the water’ in Japanese. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this case particle is similar to that of the English preposition, “of”.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “mizu no ondo” to make the object in the sentence.
• kanji – 感じ (かんじ) : one conjugation of the verb, “kanjiru “, which means ‘to feel’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. In the example, this is used after “kanji” to make its past tense form, “kanji ta”, which means ‘felt’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “ondo”. In this example, it works together with “mizu” and “no” to mean ‘the temperature of the water’ in Japanese.

Example #2: another usage of “ondo”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• sono – その : a determiner used before a noun which refers to something not close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “ondo” to mean ‘that temperature’ in Japanese.
• hikukat – 低かっ (ひくかっ) : one conjugation of the i-adjective, “hikui “, which means ‘low’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.

This is another typical usage of “ondo”. In this example, it works together with the determiner, “sono”, to mean ‘that temperature’ in Japanese. When we want to mean a ‘temperature’ in Japanese, anyway, this noun is always a very good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “ondo” in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• ondo – 温度 (おんど) : a noun meaning ‘temperature’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. These two kanji characters literally mean ‘the degree of warmness’ in Japanese. This literal interpretation is very close to the actual meaning, I think.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.