Chinese word

正式

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhèng shì

Meaning

  • adjectiveformal

Example

他有一个正式的工作。tā yǒu yí gè zhèng shì de gōng zuò

He has a formal job.

Illustration for 正式 (formal)

More examples

我们明天有一个正式的会议。wǒ men míng tiān yǒu yí gè zhèng shì de huì yì

We have a formal meeting tomorrow.

Core concept

Something takes the accepted form that makes its status clear, proper, and recognized.

Common phrases

  • 正式的工作zhèng shì de gōng zuò

    formal job

  • 正式的会议zhèng shì de huì yì

    formal meeting

Similar words

官方guān fāng: Officially recognized, stated, or provided by a government or public institution.
正规zhèng guī: Carried out in the proper way according to accepted rules and procedures.
严肃yán sù: Serious and composed in behavior or atmosphere rather than playful or casual.
规范guī fàn: Kept in an orderly way that meets a defined rule or standard.

Definition in Chinese

符合规定或礼节，在外表、言行或手续上表现出正规的状态。fú hé guī dìng huò lǐ jié zài wài biǎo yán xíng huò shǒu xù shàng biǎo xiàn chū zhèng guī de zhuàng tài

Word origin

正式 (zhèngshì, "formal") joins 正 (zhèng, "correct") + 式 (shì, "form"), expressing the idea of being correct in the proper form.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate formal mainly with dress or manners, but Chinese also applies it to official recognition, such as an appointment that has been properly confirmed.

Other meanings

  • formallyadverb
  • officialadjective

Opposites

  • 非正式fēi zhèng shìinformaladjective
  • 非官方fēi guān fāngunofficialadjective

Related words

  • 正式化zhèng shì huàformalizeverb
  • 正式版zhèng shì bǎnofficial versionnoun

Word lists with this word