摂氏
sesshi[se̞ɕːi]
The English phrase "degrees celsius" is expressed in Japanese as 摂氏 (sesshi).
摂氏 is a unit of measurement for temperature on the Celsius scale. To express a specific temperature, you place 摂氏 before the number and append the counter 度 (do) after the number to complete the phrase 摂氏…度.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 摂氏 (sesshi) literally means 'Celsius' or 'the Celsius scale'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing degrees in a temperature context, you must append the counter 度 (do) after the number.
How do you pronounce it?
sesshi
Did you know?
- The term for Fahrenheit, 華氏 (kashi), uses a character meaning 'flower' or 'splendor' to represent the foreign origin of the scale.
- The counter 度 (do) used in 摂氏…度 is the same character used to count the number of times something is repeated or to describe an angle in geometry.
- The term 摂氏 (sesshi) is a Japanese adaptation of the Chinese translation for 'Celsius'. The first character 摂 does not mean 'temperature' but refers to 'managing' or 'taking care of'.
Examples in context
- 水は摂氏０度で凍る。Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius.This sentence is useful for showing the freezing point of water using 摂氏.Tatoeba #143743 by tommy__san, translation #681014 by Source_VOA
- 水は摂氏100度で沸騰する。Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.This sentence is useful for showing the boiling point of water using 摂氏.Tatoeba #143741 by KK_kaku_, translation #270789 by CK
- 正確な気温は摂氏２２．６８度です。The exact temperature is 22.68 degrees Celsius.This sentence is useful for showing how to express a precise temperature with decimals using 摂氏.Tatoeba #142975 by tommy__san, translation #271593 by CK
- 今日の気温は摂氏 30度 です。Today's temperature is 30 degrees Celsius.
- 明日の最高 気温は25度 の予想です。The forecast for tomorrow's maximum temperature is 25 degrees Celsius.
- 今日の天気は 30度くらい だよ。The weather today is around 30 degrees Celsius.
- あの日は 35度 もあったんだ。It was even 35 degrees Celsius on that day.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are discussing the weather forecast.
- 美咲 Misaki明日の最高気温は摂氏何度になるかな？Ashita no saikou kion wa sesshi nan-do ni naru kana?I wonder what the maximum temperature in degrees Celsius will be tomorrow?
- 健太 Kenta予報では摂氏２５度まで上がるみたいだよ。Yohou deva sesshi nijuu-go do made agaru mitai da yo.The forecast says it will go up to 25 degrees Celsius.
- 美咲 Misakiそれなら、きっと暖かい日になるね。Sore nara, kitto atatakai hi ni naru ne.In that case, it will surely be a warm day.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。散歩に行くのが楽しみだ。Sou da ne. Sanpo ni iku no ga tanoshimi da.Yeah. I'm looking forward to going for a walk.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 摂氏, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 摂氏, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
