How to say "formal" in Japanese

• 正式せいしきJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'formal' in the sense of done in the proper, recognized way — a formal application, decision, or apology made through official channels. It stresses correctness of procedure rather than style or dress.
  彼女かのじょの服装ふくそうは正式せいしきなパーティーでは場違ばちがいだった。↗

  Her clothes were out of place at a formal party.
• 公式こうしきJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjective, noun (suffix)Covers 'formal' as 'official': something done in an official capacity or announced by an official body, like a formal visit or statement. The emphasis is on authoritative, public status rather than on style.
  ここでの事故じこの数かずが公式こうしきに記録きろくされているものの２倍ばいあると仮定かていしてみよう。↗

  Let us suppose that the number of incidents is twice that of those officially recorded.
• フォーマルCommon
  na-adjectiveThe loanword for 'formal' in matters of dress and occasion: formal clothes, a formal event or setting. It contrasts with casual, and is the natural choice when 'formal' describes style rather than procedure.
  何なんとまあ、フォーマルなパーティーにジーンズで現あらわれるなんて、彼女かのじょは顔かおから火ひが出でる思おもいだったろうね。↗

  Boy, did she have egg on her face when she showed up at the formal party wearing blue jeans!
• 正規せいきJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveChiefly means 'regular' or 'legal' — the opposite of temporary or unofficial. It matches 'formal' only in the sense of duly established, so for formal dress, manners, or occasions it is seldom the word you want.
• 堅苦しいかたくるしいCommon
  i-adjectiveAn adjective for 'formal' in the sense of stiff or ceremonious: a formal, rule-bound atmosphere, a formal and unsmiling person. It often suggests the formality is excessive or uncomfortable, so it is not neutral.
  堅苦かたくるしいことはぬきにしましょう。↗

  Let's dispense with formalities.

Choose 正式 for things done through proper official channels, 公式 for public, official contexts, 「フォーマル」 for dress and style, 正規 when you mean regular rather than formal, and 「堅苦しい」 for stiff, ceremonious formality.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 正式せいしきformal
• 公式こうしきofficial
• フォーマルformal
• 正規せいきregular
• 堅苦しいかたくるしいformal
• 形式的けいしきてきformal
• 儀礼的ぎれいてきformal
• 正則せいそくcorrect
• 改まったあらたまったceremonious
• 公おおやけofficial
• 本式ほんしきformal (way)
• 型通りかたどおりformal
• しかつめらしいformal
• 合式ごうしきformal
• 要式ようしきformal
• 形式ばったけいしきばったformal
• かしこまったformal
• かたっくるしいformal
• よそよそしいdistant
• 表立ったおもてだったpublic
• 四角四面しかくしめんsquare
• 晴れがましいはれがましいgrand
• お堅いおかたいstrict
• 他人行儀たにんぎょうぎstanding on formality
• 通り一遍とおりいっぺんperfunctory
• 儀式的ぎしきてきceremonial
• 晴れはれformal
• スクエアformal
• 窮屈きゅうくつformal
• よそ行きよそゆきformal (e.g. language)
• 硬いかたいbookish