1. following official or conventional rules and ceremonies
遵循官方或傳統規則與儀式的
The wedding was a formal event with a strict dress code.
這場婚禮是一場有嚴格著裝要求的正式活動。
He sent a formal letter of complaint to the company.
他向公司寄發了一封正式的投訴信。
Formal Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
formal
adjective
快速理解
What does "Formal" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Formal"?
形容遵循既定規則、禮節或結構的事物。
- 1
正式的
EN: following official or established rules and procedures
翻譯: 遵循官方或既定規則與程序的
- 2
禮節性的
EN: suitable for serious or official occasions and situations
翻譯: 適合嚴肅或官方場合與情境的
- 3
形式上的
EN: relating to the outward form or structure rather than the content
翻譯: 與外在形式或結構相關，而非內容本身的
- 4
拘謹的
EN: being polite and serious in manner, and not relaxed or friendly
翻譯: 舉止禮貌而嚴肅，不輕鬆或不隨和的
小提醒：注意 'formal' 不一定指『豪華』或『昂貴』，而是強調『符合禮節、規則或形式』。一件簡單的黑色洋裝在特定場合下也可以是 'formal attire'。
發音（How to Pronounce "Formal" in English）
How to pronounce "Formal" in English?"Formal" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Formal" from YouTube Videos
UK tells Israel not to retaliate as France set to recognise Palestinian state | BBC News
BBC News
“The foreign secretary, Iette Cooper, says she's warned Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in retaliation for the UK's formal recognition of Palestinian statethood.”
(1 out of 19)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Formal"?How does "Formal" change by context?
2. suitable for serious or official occasions
適合嚴肅或官方場合的
You need to wear formal attire to the gala dinner.
參加晚宴你需要穿著正式服裝。
The language used in legal documents is very formal.
法律文件中使用的語言非常正式。
3. relating to outward form or structure rather than content
與外在形式或結構相關的，而非內容的
There is only a formal resemblance between the two proposals.
這兩項提案之間僅有形式上的相似。
The agreement was more of a formal gesture than a practical solution.
這項協議更像是一種形式上的姿態，而非實際的解決方案。
4. officially recognized or sanctioned
官方認可或批准的
She has no formal training in computer science.
她沒有接受過電腦科學的正式訓練。
The country made a formal declaration of war.
該國正式宣戰。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Formal"?How to make natural sentences with "Formal"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| formal + noun | 正式的… | The company has a formal dress code. (這家公司有正式的著裝規定。) |
| be formal | 正式的、正規的 | The ceremony was very formal. (這場儀式非常正式。) |
| formal + occasion/event | 正式場合/活動 | A wedding is a formal occasion. (婚禮是一個正式場合。) |
| formal + language/speech | 正式的語言/演說 | The diplomat used formal language in his address. (這位外交官在致詞時使用了正式的語言。) |
| formal + agreement/contract | 正式協議/合約 | Both parties signed a formal agreement. (雙方簽署了一份正式協議。) |
| formal + education/training | 正規教育/訓練 | He received formal training in classical music. (他受過古典音樂的正規訓練。) |
| formal + request/complaint | 正式請求/投訴 | She made a formal complaint to the manager. (她向經理提出了正式投訴。) |
| formal + structure/organization | 正式結構/組織 | The project lacks a formal structure. (這個專案缺乏正式的結構。) |
用法說明
How is "Formal" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Formal"?
formal vs formally
- formal 是形容詞，用來描述事物本身具有正式、莊重或符合禮儀的特性。
- formally 是副詞，用來修飾動詞，描述「以正式的方式」進行某個動作。
- 常見錯誤是將形容詞 formal 誤用來修飾動詞。
對比例句： EN: He wore a formal suit to the ceremony. 翻譯: 他穿著一套正式的西裝參加典禮。
EN:He was formally introduced to the board members.
翻譯:他被正式介紹給董事會成員。
EN:We received a formal invitation.
翻譯:我們收到了一份正式的邀請函。
EN:The agreement was formally signed yesterday.
翻譯:該協議於昨日正式簽署。
總結建議
記住 formal 描述「事物狀態」，formally 描述「動作方式」，即可避免混淆。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Formal" and similar words?How to choose "Formal" vs alternatives?
formal vs casual
「formal」指正式、合乎禮儀規範；「casual」則指隨意、非正式的。
formal vs official
「formal」強調形式與禮節；「official」則強調權威性與公務性質。
formal vs ceremonial
「formal」泛指一切正式場合；「ceremonial」特指與儀式、典禮相關的正式。
口語用法
How is "Formal" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Formal"?
引述
在引述他人的話或想法時，用來表示「所謂的」、「名義上的」，常帶有一絲保留或諷刺的意味。 EN: He gave me a formal apology, but it didn't sound sincere at all. 翻譯: 他給了我一個所謂的正式道歉，但聽起來一點也不真誠。
EN:She has the formal title of "advisor," but she doesn't actually do much.
翻譯:她有個名義上的「顧問」頭銜，但其實沒做多少事。
語氣強調
用來強調某件事是「正式的」、「官方的」，以區別於非正式或臨時的狀態。 EN: This isn't just a casual chat; it's a formal warning. 翻譯: 這不只是隨便聊聊，這是一個正式警告。
EN:We need to send a formal invitation, not just a text message.
翻譯:我們需要寄送正式邀請函，不能只傳簡訊。
停頓填充
在思考如何準確描述時，用作短暫的停頓填充詞，類似於「該怎麼說」、「比較正式的說法是」。 EN: The atmosphere was... formal, and a bit stiff. 翻譯: 那裡的氣氛該怎麼說…很正式，而且有點拘謹。
EN:Their relationship is more of a... formal arrangement.
翻譯:他們的關係更像是一種…比較正式的安排。
注意：在正式書寫中（如學術論文、官方文件），應避免將 "formal" 用作口語中的停頓填充詞，以保持文體的嚴謹性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Formal"?What fixed phrases with "Formal" should I remember?
formal occasion
formal + noun
正式場合
formal request
formal + noun
正式請求
formal language
formal + noun
正式語言
formal dress
formal + noun
正式服裝
formal education
formal + noun
正規教育
formal introduction
formal + noun
正式介紹
formal apology
formal + noun
正式道歉
formal invitation
formal + noun
正式邀請
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Formal"?Which "Formal" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He wore a formal to the party.
✓He wore formal attire to the party.
「formal」是形容詞，不能直接當作名詞使用。表示「正式服裝」時，應使用「formal attire」、「formal wear」或「formal clothes」。
×He was dressed very formal.
✓He was dressed very formally.
修飾動詞「dressed」時，應使用副詞「formally」。形容詞「formal」通常用來修飾名詞，如「a formal dinner」。
×We need a formal document from the government.
✓We need an official document from the government.
「formal」強調禮儀、禮節或形式上的正式；「official」則強調由權威機構（如政府、公司）發出的、具有官方效力的。政府文件通常用「official」。
×Hey buddy, I would like to formally invite you to my birthday party.
✓Hey buddy, I'd like to invite you to my birthday party.
對朋友使用「formally invite」聽起來過於正式且不自然。在非正式或隨意的場合，應避免使用「formal」或其衍生詞，除非是開玩笑或刻意製造反差。
×He has a formal education in engineering.
✓He has formal education in engineering.
「education」在此為不可數名詞，泛指「教育」這個概念，前面不應加不定冠詞「a」。如果指「一段正式的教育經歷」，可使用「a formal education」；但泛指時，通常不加冠詞。此錯誤在於不必要的冠詞使用。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Formal"?What are tense/participle forms of "Formal"?