style · ceremony

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 式 has 6 strokes and the on-reading しき. It can refer to a style or form and is read しき in 方式 (ほうしき) and 正式 (せいしき).
• Basic usage: 方式 names a method or system for doing something; 正式 describes the official or formal status of an announcement or agreement.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Method and official status
  • 新しい方式 means a new method, and 投票の方式 refers to the system used for voting.
  • 正式に発表される means to be officially announced, while 正式な合意 means a formal agreement. 正式 concerns status, whereas 方式 identifies the method.