Meaning of 公式
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- formula
How to use 公式
公式 is mostly used for math, physics and chemistry formulas, and also for a fixed method or set pattern in daily life. Example: 这个数学公式很难记。(Zhège shùxué gōngshì hěn nán jì.) This math formula is hard to remember.
公 (gōng) means public or shared, and 式 (shì) means a pattern or style. A formula is a public pattern that everyone agrees to use, like a rule in a math book.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 公式 (gōngshì) with 公事 (gōngshì, official business) because they sound the same. The 式 in 公式 has the 工 inside and means pattern, while 事 means matter or affair.
公式 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
公 gōng · public · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
式 shì · type · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 公式.
| 公司 | gōngsī | company; firm; corporation |
| 办公室 | bàngōngshì | office; business premises |
| 公平 | gōngpíng | fair; impartial |
| 公园 | gōngyuán | park (for public recreation) |
| 公里 | gōnglǐ | kilometer |
| 公路 | gōnglù | highway; road |
| 公斤 | gōngjīn | kilogram (kg) |
| 公交车 | gōngjiāochē | public transport vehicle; town bus |
| 公共汽车 | gōnggòng qìchē | bus |
| 方式 | fāngshì | way; method; manner; mode; pattern (of behavior etc) |
| 正式 | zhèngshì | formal; official |
| 公开 | gōngkāi | open; overt; public; to make public; to release |
Questions about 公式
What does 公式 mean?
公式 (gōngshì) means "formula" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 公式?
公式 is made of 2 characters: 公 (4 strokes), 式 (6 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 公式 an HSK word?
Yes. 公式 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What measure word is used with 公式?
The most common measure word is 个 (gè), as in 一个公式 (yí gè gōngshì). In written or academic Chinese you may also see 条 (tiáo).
Can 公式 describe something formulaic, like a boring movie plot?
Yes. 公式化 (gōngshìhuà) means formulaic or following a fixed pattern, for example 这部电影很公式化 (zhè bù diànyǐng hěn gōngshìhuà), this movie is very formulaic.