体温計（たいおんけい、taionkeい）
- thermometer

The Japanese word 体温計 体温計 (たいおんけい) means "thermometer" or "clinical thermometer." It specifically refers to a device used to measure body temperature. The word is composed of three parts: 体 (たい) meaning "body," 温 (おん) meaning "warmth" or "temperature," and 計 (けい) meaning "meter" or "measuring device." Therefore, 体温計 literally translates to "body temperature meter."

⚫︎ 熱があるから、体温計で熱を測ってみましょう。 Translation: Because I have a fever, let's measure my temperature with a thermometer. ⚫︎ 病院で体温計を使って熱を測ってもらいました。 Translation: I had my temperature taken with a thermometer at the hospital. ⚫︎ 彼は新しいデジタル体温計を買いました。 Translation: He bought a new digital thermometer.

You use 体温計 when you want to measure someone's (or your own) body temperature, typically when they might be feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms like fever. It is commonly used in medical settings like hospitals and clinics, as well as at home when someone is sick. You can also use it to take a temperature on animals.

体温計 is typically written in kanji and hiragana: 体温計. The reading is たいおんけい. There are no other common ways to write this word or variations in okurigana.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 体温計. The closest related term might be 温度計 (おんどけい) which means "thermometer," but it's a general term and not specifically for body temperature.

There are no direct antonyms for 体温計, as it is a measuring tool. However, the concept of "not taking temperature" could be considered an opposite action.

風邪をひいたので、体温計で熱を測ってみたら、38度ありました。 ・Translation: Since I caught a cold, I measured my temperature with a thermometer, and it was 38 degrees. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that a person used a 体温計 to check their temperature because they had a cold and found they had a fever.

赤ちゃんの体温を測るには、安全な体温計を選びましょう。 ・Translation: When measuring a baby's temperature, let's choose a safe thermometer. ・Explanation: This sentence suggests that when taking a baby's temperature, you should select a 体温計 that is specifically designed and safer for babies.

The word's etymology is straightforward. 体 (tai) means body, 温 (on) refers to warmth or temperature, and 計 (kei) means a meter or a device to measure something. Thus, it's a direct combination of the concepts of "body," "temperature," and "measuring."