正式
formal; official
HSK level
- Pinyin
- zhèngshì
- Part of speech
- adjective
- Level
- HSK 4
- Strokes
- 11
- Register
- neutral
- In episodes
- 1
Stroke order for 正式
正式 is written with 11 strokes (正: 5, 式: 6). The animation replays automatically.
What does 正式 mean?
正式 (zhèngshì) is an adjective and adverb meaning 'formal' or 'official.'
As an adjective it describes things that follow proper procedure or have official status — a formal occasion (正式场合), a formal document (正式文件), formal clothes (正式服装). As an adverb it marks the moment something becomes official or fully takes effect: 正式开始 ('officially begin'), 正式宣布 ('officially announce'), 正式录用 ('formally hire'). English splits this into 'formal' (about style/register) and 'official' (about authority), but 正式 covers both, so context decides which English word fits.
It is not used to describe personality; a stiff person is 严肃 or 拘谨, not 正式. Its rough opposite is 非正式 ('informal') or 随便 ('casual'). Common in business, ceremonies, contracts, and job contexts.
Note: Describes the formal/official nature of an event, document, or process. As an adverb (正式开始, 正式宣布) it means 'officially,' marking the point something becomes real or binding.
Character by character
Memory hook: 正 (proper) + 式 (form) = the proper form, i.e. formal/official.
Hear 正式 in real episodes
正式 appears in 1 Fluentide podcast episode at natural native speed. Each sentence plays at the easiest difficulty it exists in — switch it to hear the same moment at your level, with full pinyin and English throughout.
以前的盒子是黑色的、金色的，看上去很正式。
The old tins were black and gold, and looked very formal.
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Example sentences
这是一个正式的会议，请穿正装。
Zhè shì yí ge zhèngshì de huìyì, qǐng chuān zhèngzhuāng.
This is a formal meeting, please wear formal attire.
written
我们下周正式开始上班。
Wǒmen xià zhōu zhèngshì kāishǐ shàngbān.
We officially start work next week.
neutral
他已经成为公司的正式员工了。
Tā yǐjīng chéngwéi gōngsī de zhèngshì yuángōng le.
He has already become a permanent employee of the company.
neutral
别那么正式，我们随便聊聊。
Bié nàme zhèngshì, wǒmen suíbiàn liáoliáo.
Don't be so formal, let's just chat casually.
spoken
Common phrases with 正式
Synonyms
官方 means 'official' in the sense of coming from the government or an organization's authority (官方消息, 'official news'). 正式 stresses proper procedure or formal style, not necessarily authority.
Don't confuse 正式 with
Frequently asked questions
Related words from the same episodes
Acquire it by listening
Meet 正式 again — in real Chinese, at your level.
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