How to say "format" in Japanese

• フォーマットCommon
  nounThe loanword; the natural choice for technical senses such as data and file formats or formatting a disk, and also usable for the general format of documents, events, and publications.
• 書式しょしきCommon
  nounRefers to the prescribed form or layout of writing — how a document is set out, as in official paperwork — and in computing it covers the formatting of text and layout within documents.
  この書式しょしきはやや複雑ふくざつそうだ。書かきこむのを手伝てつだってくれ。↗

  This form looks kind of complicated. Help me fill it out.
• 形式けいしきJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounIts core sense is 'form' or 'style' — the outward shape or manner of something, often contrasted with content. As 'format' it suits the form or type something takes, its structure or mode of presentation.
  朝食ちょうしょくはバイキング形式けいしきだって。↗

  Breakfast is a smorgasbord.

Use 「フォーマット」 for technical and everyday 'format' senses such as file formats, 書式 for the prescribed layout of written documents, and 形式 when 'format' means the outward form or style of something rather than its content.

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

• フォーマットformat
• 書式しょしきprescribed form (of writing)
• 判型はんがたformat (esp. of publication, e.g. A5, B4, etc.)
• 進め方すすめかたformat
• 形式けいしきformat
• 書き方かきかたformat (e.g. of a report)
• 体裁ていさい(proper) format (e.g. of an essay)