The character 式 — “form”: how to write it and what it means
form, model, style
The Chinese character 式 is read shì and means “form, model, style”. Below: the stroke order step by step, what the character is made of and the words it appears in.
Stroke order: how to write 式
式 has 6 strokes. At each step the new stroke is highlighted — write them in the same order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical, a frame before what is inside it, and the bottom stroke of the frame last.
To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for 式, with strokes to trace and empty squares.
What 式 is made of
Inside, 工 “work”. It hints at the sound of 试 shì.
The parts of a character hint at its meaning or its reading — more in the article “Chinese character radicals”.
Words with 式
- 方式way, mannerHSK 4
- 正式official, formalHSK 4
- 样式style, patternHSK 5
- 模式model, patternHSK 5
- 形式formHSK 5
- 开幕式opening ceremonyHSK 5
- 闭幕式closing ceremonyHSK 5
- 款式style, design (clothes, furniture)HSK 6
- 仪式ceremony, rite, ritualHSK 6
Frequently asked questions
How do you write the character 式?
式 has 6 strokes. They follow the usual rules: top to bottom, left to right, horizontal before vertical, outside before inside. The order of each stroke is shown on this page.
What does 式 mean?
式 means “form, model, style”. It appears in 方式 (“way”), 正式 (“official”), 样式 (“style”), 模式 (“model”).
How do you pronounce 式?
式 is read shì. The tone is part of the reading: with another melody it becomes another syllable.
How many strokes does 式 have?
6 strokes.
More characters on the page “Chinese characters with meanings” and in the list of HSK characters by level; whole words are in the dictionary.
Write 式 yourself
In the lessons you write characters stroke by stroke with a finger or a mouse, and the course checks the order. You can start for free, no sign-up needed.
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