正式

• Pinyin: zhèng shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 正 = 一 (one) + 止 (stop), meaning 'straight, correct'; 式 = 弋 (stake) + 工 (work), meaning 'style, form'

Meaning

Formal; official. Describes something that follows proper procedures or conventions.

Used to describe events, documents, clothing, or situations that are official and proper. Common collocations include 正式场合 (formal occasion), 正式工作 (formal employment), 正式开始 (officially begin), 正式通知 (official notice). Opposite of 非正式 (informal).

Examples

1. 明天的会议是正式的，请穿正式的衣服。 Tomorrow's meeting is formal — please wear formal attire.
2. 他下个月就要正式开始新工作了。 He will officially start his new job next month.
3. 学校发了一份正式通知。 The school issued an official notice.

Usage Guide

Context: work, business, events

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 这是一个正式的邀请。(This is a formal invitation.)
• 比赛正式开始了。(The competition has officially begun.)

Don't Say

• 我们正式地去吃饭吧。(Don't use 正式 for casual activities like eating — it implies official procedures; just say 我们去吃饭吧)

Origin & History

正 (correct, proper) + 式 (style, form). Together: proper in form — formal or official.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal