形式主义 (xíng shì zhǔ yì) — formalism (in philosophy, art, or literary theory — emphasis on form over content); (pejorative) going through the motions; empty formalities; act of prioritizing appearance over substance
Definition
Two senses: in literary/philosophical criticism, the view that form matters more than content; in everyday use, a pejorative label for empty, ritual procedures with no real effect.
noun
formalism (in philosophy, art, or literary theory — emphasis on form over content)(pejorative) going through the motionsempty formalitiesact of prioritizing appearance over substance
Examples
- 形式主义，。Zhè zhǒng huì yì chún cuì shì xíng shì zhǔ yì, yì diǎn shí jì wèn tí dōu méi jiě jué.This kind of meeting is pure formalism — it didn't solve any real problems at all.
- 形式主义。Fǎn duì xíng shì zhǔ yì cái néng ràng gōng zuò zhēn zhèng luò dào shí chù.Only by opposing formalism can work truly be carried out effectively.
- ，形式主义。Zài wén xué píng lùn zhōng, xíng shì zhǔ yì qiáng diào zuò pǐn de jié gòu ér hū lüè nèi róng.In literary criticism, formalism emphasizes a work's structure while ignoring its content.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.