虚设 (xū shè) — to exist in name only; to be nominal and ineffective
Definition
A formal written word for something that exists in name only and has no real function. Common in 形同虚设 ("to exist in name only") and rarely used for everyday speech.
verb
to exist in name onlyto be nominal and ineffective
Examples
- ，。Zhè ge wěi yuán huì xíng tóng xū shè, cóng bú zhào kāi huì yì.This committee exists in name only; it never holds meetings.
- ，虚设。Zhì dù rú guǒ dé bú dào zhí xíng, jiù děng yú xū shè.If a system is not enforced, it is as good as nonexistent.
- 虚设。Tā dān rèn de gù wèn zhí wèi bú guò shì xū shè ér yǐ.The advisory position he holds is merely nominal.
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