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.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

形式form
形xíngform式shìstyle
联合Side by side
主义-ism
主zhǔ义yì

形式 means form, and 主义 adds the sense of a doctrine or practice, giving formalism.

Characters in this word

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
彡彡shān
Sound part声符shēngfú
井
井jǐng形xíng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

形 is made from 彡 and 井, with 井 providing the sound.

Open 形 →

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
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.

Open 式 →

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

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Open 主 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 義; 义 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
羊羊yáng
Sound part声符shēngfú
我
我wǒ義yì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 義 has 我 giving the sound and 羊 meaning good or auspicious; the simplified 义 is a later abbreviation.

Open 义 →

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