Correct
形式 vs 形状
/ xíngshì vs xíngzhuàng /
Strokes
Definition
Both 形式 (xíngshì) and 形状 (xíngzhuàng) relate to the concept of "form," but they differ in meaning, usage, and context.
1. 形式 (xíngshì) – "Form" (Abstract, Structure, or Format)
Meaning:
- Refers to abstract forms, structures, or formats (not physical shape).
- Often used for systems, methods, appearances, or styles.
Usage:
Structure or Format (e.g., rules, procedures, art styles)
- 这个合同的形式需要修改。 (Zhège hétóng de xíngshì xūyào xiūgǎi.)
→ "The format of this contract needs to be revised." (Not about shape, but structure.) - 艺术有很多种形式。 (Yìshù yǒu hěn duō zhǒng xíngshì.)
→ "Art has many forms." (Styles, not physical shapes.)
Superficial vs. Real (形式 vs. 内容 – "form vs. content")
- 不要只看形式，要看内容。 (Búyào zhǐ kàn xíngshì, yào kàn nèiróng.)
→ "Don’t just look at the form, look at the content." (Appearance vs. substance.)
Ceremonial or Official Forms
- 婚礼的形式因文化而异。 (Hūnlǐ de xíngshì yīn wénhuà ér yì.)
→ "The form of weddings varies by culture." (Ceremony structure, not shape.)
Key Points:
✔ Abstract, structural, or stylistic form (not physical).
✔ Used in art, law, business, ceremonies.
✔ Contrasts with 内容 (nèiróng, "content").
2. 形状 (xíngzhuàng) – "Shape" (Physical Appearance or Outline)
Meaning:
- Refers to the physical shape, outline, or appearance of an object.
- Used for concrete, visible forms.
Usage:
Physical Shape of Objects
- 这个蛋糕的形状是心形的。 (Zhège dàngāo de xíngzhuàng shì xīn xíng de.)
→ "This cake is in the shape of a heart." (Physical form.) - 云的形状像一只狗。 (Yún de xíngzhuàng xiàng yì zhī gǒu.)
→ "The cloud’s shape looks like a dog." (Visual outline.)
Geometric or Natural Forms
- 科学家研究晶体的形状。 (Kēxuéjiā yánjiū jīngtǐ de xíngzhuàng.)
→ "Scientists study the shapes of crystals." (Physical structure.)
Changes in Physical Form
- 加热后，金属的形状会改变。 (Jiārè hòu, jīnshǔ de xíngzhuàng huì gǎibiàn.)
→ "After heating, the metal’s shape will change." (Physical deformation.)
Key Points:
✔ Physical, visible shape (objects, bodies, geometry).
✔ Used in science, design, daily descriptions.
✔ Never used for abstract concepts like "art form" or "contract format."
3. Key Differences
| Feature | 形式 (xíngshì) | 形状 (xíngzhuàng) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Abstract form, structure, format | Physical shape, outline |
| Usage | Art, law, ceremonies, systems | Objects, nature, geometry |
| Example Sentence | "The form of the contract is strict." | "The shape of the table is round." |
| Opposite Concept | 内容 (nèiróng, "content") | 材质 (cáizhì, "material") |
Final Summary
Use 形式 (xíngshì) for:
✔ Abstract structures (art, law, ceremonies).
✔ Formats vs. content (形式 vs. 内容).
Use 形状 (xíngzhuàng) for:
✔ Physical shapes (objects, bodies, geometry).
✔ Visible outlines (design, science).
Example
形式 means "the form, shape, construction, the way to manifest, etc", It can be applied to both concrete and abstract things. 形状 means "the appearance" and is applied to concrete things.
形式 and 形状 in the following examples are not interchangeable.
1
Wǒmen
我们
xiǎng
想
cǎiyòng
采用
zuòtánhuì
座谈会
de
的
xíngshì
形式
lái
来
zhēngqiú
征求
gè
各
fāngmiàn
方面
de
的
yìjiàn
意见
。
We held an informal discussion and got views from different people in it.
2
Shīrén
诗人
tōngguò
通过
shīgē
诗歌
de
的
xíngshì
形式
shūfā
抒发
duì
对
zǔguó
祖国
de
的
ài
爱
。
The poet expressed his love for his country through his poems.
3
Zhè
这
liǎng
两
gè
个
rén
人
dōu
都
bǐjiào
比较
zìsī
自私
,
zhǐbuguò
只不过
biǎoxiàn
表现
xíngshì
形式
bùtóng
不同
bàle
罢了
。
The two persons are both selfish,but they showed it in different ways.
4
Yī
一
bù
部
hǎo
好
de
的
wénxué
文学
zuòpǐn
作品
yào
要
zuòdào
做到
nèiróng
内容
hé
和
xíngshì
形式
de
的
xiétiáo
协调
tǒngyī
统一
。
The content and the form of a good literature work should match each other.
5
Zhèxiē
这些
shítou
石头
de
的
xíngzhuàng
形状
gèyì
各异
,
yǒude
有的
yuán
圆
,
yǒude
有的
fāng
方
,
yǒude
有的
xiàng
像
yú
鱼
,
yǒude
有的
xiàng
像
niǎo
鸟
。
The shapes of these stones are different: some of them are round, some square, some like a fish, and others like a bird.
6
Zhège
这个
zhōng
钟
de
的
xíngzhuàng
形状
hěn
很
biézhì
别致
。
The shape of this clock is exquisite.
7
Zhè
这
liǎng
两
zhǒng
种
chǎnpǐn
产品
de
的
xíngzhuàng
形状
chàbuduō
差不多
。
The two products look quite similar.
Mistake
❌ Wrong (Using 形状 for abstract form):
这首诗的形状很特别。 (Use 形式 for artistic style.)
✅ Correct:
这首诗的形式很特别。 (Zhè shǒu shī de xíngshì hěn tèbié.)→ "The form of this poem is unique." (Structure/style, not physical shape.)
❌ Wrong (Using 形式 for physical shape):
这个盒子的形式是方的。 (Use 形状 for physical outline.)
✅ Correct:
这个盒子的形状是方的。 (Zhège hézi de xíngzhuàng shì fāng de.)→ "This box is shaped like a square." (Physical form.)
Exercise
Choose 形式 or 形状:
- 这个雕塑的____很独特。 (形状 – physical shape)
- 会议的____是线上举行。 (形式 – format/structure)
- 他喜欢研究不同文化的婚礼____。 (形式 – ceremonial structure)
Translate:
- "The shape of the ring is circular." → 戒指的____是圆形的。 (形状)
- "The form of government is democratic." → 政府的____是民主的。 (形式)