式(しき)

しき

noun

formula; expression; equation; ceremony

1. formula; mathematical expression; equation

A mathematical expression or formula — a written combination of numbers, variables, and operators. Used in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and other technical fields.

この式(しき)を解(と)いてください。

Please solve this equation.

答(こた)えだけでなく式(しき)も書(か)いてください。

Please write the formula too, not just the answer.

先生(せんせい)は黒板(こくばん)に長(なが)い式(しき)を書(か)いて説明(せつめい)した。

The teacher wrote a long formula on the blackboard and explained it.

2. ceremony; formal event

A formal ceremony or ritual occasion. Often appears as a suffix on the names of specific ceremonies (e.g. 結婚式(けっこんしき) wedding ceremony, 卒業式(そつぎょうしき) graduation ceremony).

式(しき)が始(はじ)まります。

The ceremony is about to begin.

式(しき)には大勢(おおぜい)の人(ひと)が出席(しゅっせき)した。

A large crowd attended the ceremony.

娘(むすめ)の卒業(そつぎょう)の式(しき)でつい涙(なみだ)が出(で)てしまった。

I couldn't help shedding tears at my daughter's graduation ceremony.

Two main uses share the same kanji: a math/science formula, and a formal ceremony.

SENSE 1 — FORMULA:

方程式(ほうていしき): equation
計算式(けいさんしき): calculation formula
化学式(かがくしき): chemical formula
式(しき)を立(た)てる: to set up a formula
式(しき)を解(と)く: to solve an equation

SENSE 2 — CEREMONY:
Very often used as a suffix attached to the type of event:

結婚式(けっこんしき): wedding ceremony
卒業式(そつぎょうしき): graduation ceremony
入学式(にゅうがくしき): school entrance ceremony
葬式(そうしき): funeral

The standalone noun 式(しき) usually refers to whichever ceremony is salient in context.

general

Added 2026.6.2 12:07 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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