shape

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 形 has 7 strokes, the on-readings けい and ぎょう, and the kun-readings かた, かたち, and なり. 形 (かたち) means a shape, while 形式 (けいしき) means a form or format.
• Basic usage: 形 describes the visible shape of clay or a bridge; 形式 refers to a document's storage format or the form a meeting takes.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Shape and format
  • 丸い形に整えた means shaped something into a round form. 鳥の翼に似た形 means a shape resembling a bird's wings.
  • 指定された形式で保存した means saved in the designated format. 対話形式で進められた describes a meeting conducted in the form of a conversation.