正式 zhèngshì formal
formal; official
How to remember 正式: 正 upright + 式 style = formal.
Characters
How it is used
- Formal / official, as opposed to casual or provisional - 正式场合 (zhèngshì chǎnghé) a formal occasion, 正式员工 a full-time/permanent (officially hired) employee.
- As an adverb it means 'officially/formally': 正式开始 (zhèngshì kāishǐ) officially begin.
- Contrast 官方 (guānfāng) 'official = government/authority-issued'; 正式 is about formality and official status of an act, not who issues it.
Example sentences
- 比赛正式开始了。 Bǐsài zhèngshì kāishǐ le.The game officially began.
- 你没必要那么正式。 Nǐ méi bìyào nàme zhèngshì.You don't have to be so formal.
- 您没必要准备一个正式的演讲。 Nín méi bìyào zhǔnbèi yígè zhèngshì de yǎnjiǎng.You don't need to prepare a formal speech.