形式 xíngshì outer appearance
outer appearance; form; shape; formality
How to remember 形式: 形 form + 式 style = outer appearance.
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How it is used
- Outer form or format, often opposed to content - 内容比形式重要 (nèiróng bǐ xíngshì zhòngyào) content matters more than form.
- Carries a critical edge in 形式主义 (xíngshì zhǔyì, going through the motions / empty formalism) and 走形式 (zǒu xíngshì) doing sth just for show.
- Do not confuse with its homophone 形势 (situation); 形式 = shape/format, 形势 = circumstances.