jing4 sik1 zyu2 ji6形式主義形式主义
Jyutpingjing4 sik1 zyu2 ji6
Yaleyìhng sīk jyú yih
Definition
Formalism; an excessive focus on outward form, appearance, or bureaucracy at the expense of substance.
colloquialworkother
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation, implying that actions are performed solely to satisfy superficial requirements rather than achieving any real substance. It is frequently used in professional or bureaucratic settings to criticize processes that prioritize paperwork or appearances over actual efficiency. When people use this, they are usually expressing frustration with rigid or performative rules.
Examples
The company is just going through the motions, it's such a waste of time.
Do you think this plan is just a form of formalism?
Related words
Common phrases
to engage in formalism
to oppose formalism
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe artistic styles or literary movements, as the Cantonese term is almost exclusively used in a critical, social, or political context to describe empty gestures.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
