Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== xíngshì: 形式 - Form, Shape, Formalism ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** xingshi, 形式, meaning of xingshi, Chinese word for form, formality in Chinese, 形式 vs 内容, xingshizhuyi, form over substance, Chinese vocabulary, learn Chinese * **Summary:** 形式 (xíngshì) is a fundamental Chinese noun for "form," "shape," or "format." While it can be a neutral term for structure (like an art form), its deeper meaning is crucial for learners. It often carries the nuance of "formalism" or "mere formality," contrasting the outward appearance (形式) with the inner substance (内容, nèiróng). Understanding xíngshì is key to grasping Chinese perspectives on procedure, bureaucracy, and the importance of appearance in social and business contexts. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xíngshì * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** The outer appearance, shape, structure, or format of something, as distinct from its content or substance. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of 形式 (xíngshì) as the "container" or the "blueprint" of something. It can be the format of a document, the structure of a meeting, or the form of an artistic expression. However, it's often used to imply that something is "just for show" or "all style, no substance." It's the difference between truly doing something and just going through the motions. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **形 (xíng):** This character means "shape," "form," or "appearance." Imagine it as the silhouette or outline of an object. * **式 (shì):** This character means "style," "pattern," "type," or "formula." It suggests a standardized way or method of doing something, like in a ceremony or a mathematical formula. * When combined, 形式 (xíngshì) literally means "shape-style." This perfectly captures the idea of an external structure, pattern, or established format that something follows. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, there's a significant interplay between form (形式) and substance (内容, nèiróng). While often criticized, paying attention to the proper 形式 is not always negative; it can be a sign of respect, seriousness, and order. A key concept is **形式主义 (xíngshì zhǔyì)**, or "formalism." This is a pejorative term, often used to criticize bureaucracy, "box-ticking" exercises, or any situation where procedure is valued more than the actual result. It's the act of doing something just because it's required, without genuine intent or effect. A helpful Western comparison is the phrase "going through the motions." However, 形式主义 in a Chinese context is a more deeply ingrained concept, often linked to the idea of "saving face" (面子, miànzi). Maintaining a proper outward appearance—the correct 形式—can be crucial for preserving one's reputation and social harmony, even if the underlying situation is flawed. For example, a company might hold a lavish but pointless meeting (a 形式) to project an image of success to outsiders. For a learner, recognizing when an action is a genuine effort versus just a 形式 is a vital social skill. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== The use of 形式 ranges from completely neutral to highly critical, depending on the context. * **Neutral/Technical Usage:** In professional, academic, or technical fields, 形式 is used neutrally to mean "form," "format," or "modality." * `艺术形式 (yìshù xíngshì)` - Art form * `文件形式 (wénjiàn xíngshì)` - File format * `会议形式 (huìyì xíngshì)` - Meeting format * **Negative Connotation (Formalism):** This is the most common usage in daily conversation and social commentary. It implies something is superficial, hollow, or done just for show. * The phrase `走形式 (zǒu xíngshì)`, literally "to walk the form," means to do something perfunctorily, just to say it's been done. * The idiom `形式大于内容 (xíngshì dàyú nèiróng)` means "form is greater than content." You might use this to describe a beautifully packaged product that works poorly, or a visually stunning movie with a weak plot. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 诗歌是一种独特的文学**形式**。 * Pinyin: Shīgē shì yī zhǒng dútè de wénxué **xíngshì**. * English: Poetry is a unique literary form. * Analysis: A neutral, academic use of 形式 to mean "form" or "genre." * **Example 2:** * 这次会议只是走个**形式**，重要决定早就做好了。 * Pinyin: Zhè cì huìyì zhǐshì zǒu ge **xíngshì**, zhòngyào juédìng zǎo jiù zuò hǎo le. * English: This meeting is just a formality (just going through the motions); the important decisions were already made. * Analysis: This is a classic example of the negative connotation. The meeting has no real substance; it's just for show. The phrase "走个形式" is very common. * **Example 3:** * 这家餐厅的菜品**形式**大于内容，看起来好看，吃起来一般。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de càipǐn **xíngshì** dàyú nèiróng, kàn qǐlái hǎokàn, chī qǐlái yībān. * English: This restaurant's dishes are more about form than substance; they look good, but taste average. * Analysis: The idiom `形式大于内容` is used perfectly here to criticize something that prioritizes appearance over quality. * **Example 4:** * 我们可以通过多种**形式**进行合作。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ tōngguò duō zhǒng **xíngshì** jìnxíng hézuò. * English: We can cooperate through various forms/modalities. * Analysis: A neutral business context, where 形式 means "way," "mode," or "format" of cooperation. * **Example 5:** * 老师要求我们以报告的**形式**提交作业。 * Pinyin: Lǎoshī yāoqiú wǒmen yǐ bàogào de **xíngshì** tíjiāo zuòyè. * English: The teacher requires us to submit the homework in the form of a report. * Analysis: Here, `以...的形式` is a common pattern meaning "in the form of..." It's a neutral and structural use. * **Example 6:** * 许多传统节日现在只剩下**形式**了，失去了原本的文化意义。 * Pinyin: Xǔduō chuántǒng jiérì xiànzài zhǐ shèng xià **xíngshì** le, shīqù le yuánběn de wénhuà yìyì. * English: Many traditional festivals now only have the form left, having lost their original cultural meaning. * Analysis: A slightly sad, critical use. It implies that people still perform the rituals (the form), but without the underlying spirit or belief (the substance). * **Example 7:** * 我们必须反对**形式**主义，注重实际效果。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū fǎnduì **xíngshì** zhǔyì, zhùzhòng shíjì xiàoguǒ. * English: We must oppose formalism and focus on actual results. * Analysis: This is a very common phrase in political or corporate rhetoric, directly using the concept of "formalism" (形式主义). * **Example 8:** * 这个问题以对话的**形式**展开讨论会更好。 * Pinyin: Zhè ge wèntí yǐ duìhuà de **xíngshì** zhǎnkāi tǎolùn huì gèng hǎo. * English: It would be better to discuss this issue in the form of a dialogue. * Analysis: A neutral suggestion about the structure or format of a discussion. * **Example 9:** * 他不喜欢任何**形式**的约束。 * Pinyin: Tā bù xǐhuān rènhé **xíngshì** de yuēshù. * English: He doesn't like constraints of any form. * Analysis: Here, 形式 is used abstractly to mean "type" or "kind." * **Example 10:** * 他们的道歉只是一种**形式**，根本没有诚意。 * Pinyin: Tāmen de dàoqiàn zhǐshì yī zhǒng **xíngshì**, gēnběn méiyǒu chéngyì. * English: Their apology was just a formality; they had no sincerity at all. * Analysis: This example clearly highlights the contrast between the outward action (the form of apologizing) and the inner feeling (sincerity, the substance). ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake 1: Confusing 形式 (xíngshì) with 样子 (yàngzi).** * `样子` refers to the concrete physical appearance or look of a specific person or thing. (e.g., "这个杯子的样子很特别" - The look/style of this cup is special). * `形式` refers to a more abstract concept of structure, format, or modality. (e.g., "小说的形式" - The form of a novel). * **Incorrect:** `这个杯子的形式很特别。` (This sounds strange, as if you're talking about "the modality of the cup.") * **Mistake 2: Not detecting the negative connotation.** * If a Chinese colleague says, "我们的每周会议只是个形式 (Our weekly meeting is just a xíngshì)," don't just take it as a neutral statement about format. They are almost certainly implying the meeting is a pointless waste of time, a mere box-ticking exercise. The context and tone are key. * **"False Friend": Don't equate 形式 with "formal."** * The English word "formal" (as in a formal event or formal clothes) is best translated as **正式 (zhèngshì)**. * `正式的晚宴` (zhèngshì de wǎnyàn) - A formal dinner party. * `形式` is the *form* or *structure* itself, which might be a component of a formal event, but they are not the same concept. A wedding ceremony has a certain 形式 (form), and it is also a 正式 (formal) occasion. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[内容]] (nèiróng) - Content, substance. The direct philosophical and practical opposite of 形式. * [[形式主义]] (xíngshì zhǔyì) - Formalism. The ideology or practice of prioritizing form over substance, almost always used negatively. * [[走形式]] (zǒu xíngshì) - A common verb phrase meaning "to go through the motions," to do something perfunctorily. * [[方式]] (fāngshì) - Way, method, mode. Refers to *how* you do something (the process), whereas 形式 often refers to the *structure* of the thing itself. They can sometimes overlap. * [[正式]] (zhèngshì) - Formal, official. Describes something that follows proper rules and etiquette, a different concept from 形式. * [[结构]] (jiégòu) - Structure, composition. A close synonym to the neutral meaning of 形式, often used to talk about the internal composition of something (e.g., the structure of a building or an essay). * [[表面]] (biǎomiàn) - Surface, outside. Often used to contrast with the inner reality, much like the negative connotation of 形式. * [[样子]] (yàngzi) - Appearance, look, style. More concrete and physical than the abstract concept of 形式.