式 means “ceremony, style, formula”

しき · shiki

Also: rite, function

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

シキ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 6 strokes

The story

A stake (弋) and a craftsman's tool (工): work done by the rule. 式 is a set form, as in 数式, a formula, or the 和式 and 洋式 toilets, and at its grandest it is a ceremony: 入学式, 卒業式, 結婚式.

Used in 結婚式 (kekkonshiki, wedding), 入学式 (nyuugakushiki, school entrance ceremony), and 正式 (seishiki, formal/official)

More from Manners & Welcome

• 供 offer
• 訪 visit
• 助 help
• 申 say (humble)
• 様 honorific
• 迎 welcome
• 寄 drop by
• 頼 request
• 招 invite
• 御 honorable
• 礼 courtesy
• 頂 receive (humble)

Learn 式 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.