正式 (zhèng shì) — formal; official | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

正式 means 'formal' or 'official' — used for occasions, documents, and announcements that follow set procedures. Compared to 正规 ('standard, regulated'), it focuses on the situation's tone rather than whether something is proper or legitimate.

adjective

formalofficial

Easily confused

正视zhèng shìsound-aliketo face squarely, to face up to (a problem, reality, etc.)

Examples

正式，。
Zhè shì yì chǎng zhèng shì de huì yì, qǐng dà jiā chuān xī zhuāng.
This is a formal meeting; please wear suits.
正式。
Gōng sī zhèng shì xuān bù le xià jì dù jì huà.
The company officially announced next quarter's plan.
正式。
Nǐ xū yào qiān yí fèn zhèng shì hé tong.
You need to sign a formal contract.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

正zhèngproper

正 (proper) and 式 (form) combine to mean formal or official.

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

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

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