非正式 (fēi zhèng shì) — (attributive) informal; unofficial | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'non-formal': the standard adjective for describing something (meetings, language, dress, occasions) that lacks official or formal status. Antonym of 正式 zhèngshì; use it attributively before nouns like 会议 or 场合.

adjective

(attributive) informalunofficial

Examples

非正式。
Wǒ men kāi le yí gè fēi zhèng shì huì yì.
We had an informal meeting.
非正式，。
Zài zhè zhǒng fēi zhèng shì chǎng hé, dà jiā kě yǐ chuān dé suí biàn yì diǎn.
In this kind of informal occasion, everyone can dress more casually.
，。
Zhè shì fēi zhèng shì de shuō fǎ, zhèng shì chǎng hé bú yào yòng.
This is an informal expression; don't use it in formal occasions.

Origin

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

正式formal; official

正zhèngproper式shìform

偏正Modifier + head

非 marks the opposite of 正式, giving the sense of not formal or informal.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 非 is drawn from two wings facing opposite directions. It later came to be used for going against or not being.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng正zhèng

Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

弋工式

Meaning part形符xíngfú

工工gōngwork

Sound part声符shēngfú

弋

弋yì式shì

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

式 pairs 工, meaning work, with 弋, which gives the sound.

Appears in

Abstract Concepts

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