Can I use both 気温 and 温度 when asking for the weather temperature?


Can I use 気温 and 温度 when asking for the weather temperature? Both terms
indicate temperature. Which one is more commonly used?




Though 温度 is a generic word for _temperature_ , we prefer the specific 気温 "air
temperature" everyday when we mention the weather, in conversation or in
forecast. Same for 水温 of water, 体温 of body, 室温 of room etc. Especially, it'd
almost sound like a joke if you described someone 温度が低い instead of 体温が低い (a
languid person??).

In my impression, 温度 is only preferred when it would otherwise make a
redundant expression (*食塩水の水温) or the object has no convenient compound in the
form of ○温.




Though 温度 is a generic word for _temperature_ , we prefer the specific 気温 "air
temperature" everyday when we mention the weather, in conversation or in
forecast. Same for 水温 of water, 体温 of body, 室温 of room etc. Especially, it'd
almost sound like a joke if you described someone 温度が低い instead of 体温が低い (a
languid person??).

In my impression, 温度 is only preferred when it would otherwise make a
redundant expression (*食塩水の水温) or the object has no convenient compound in the
form of ○温.

