儀式|ぎしきgishiki[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounceremony; rite; ritual; service
   この儀式ぎしきは幾いく世代せだいにもわたって伝つたわってきた。↗

   This ceremony has been handed down from generation to generation.

• Synonym式典しきてんFormalFormal word for large official ceremonies such as 「記念式典」. 儀式 stresses rites carried out according to set rules.
• Synonym儀ぎWrittenWritten style: a ceremony, or an affair or matter. Seen in ceremony names like 「即位の儀」 and formal notices; rarer alone than 儀式.
• Synonym典礼てんれいFormalFormal: a ceremony, or Catholic liturgy. Not used much; in everyday speech say 儀式 or 式典.
• Synonym式しきNeutralThe everyday choice for a ceremony, mostly as a suffix in 「結婚式」「卒業式」. On its own it depends heavily on context.
• SynonymセレモニーNeutralLoanword for a ceremony, as in 「オープニングセレモニー」. 儀式 puts more weight on the prescribed procedure.
• Synonym儀典ぎてんFormalFormal: the rules and prescribed etiquette governing ceremonies, found mainly in official use. 儀式 is the ceremony itself.
• Synonym典てんWrittenWritten style, mostly a morpheme in words like 「祭典」「式典」; it rarely stands alone. Say 儀式 in daily speech.
• Related祭事さいじWrittenWritten word for rites of worship, tied to shrines and the imperial court. 儀式 is not limited to religious occasions.
• Related祭りまつりNeutralA festival such as 「夏祭り」, often lively and festive and not necessarily solemn. 「儀式」 leans toward solemnity and set procedures.
• Relatedお祝いおいわいNeutralA celebration or congratulatory gift, as in 「お祝いをする」; the emphasis is on the good wishes. 儀式 is about following a set procedure.
• Related形式けいしきNeutralForm or format, as in 「形式だけ」 — the outward shape of things. 儀式 is an actual ceremony that takes place.
• Related礼式れいしきWrittenWritten word for etiquette and rules of propriety, and not common. 儀式 is the ceremony performed, not the manners behind it.

Use 「儀式」 for religious, celebratory or condolence ceremonies held by set rules, as in 「成人の儀式」. Pick 「式典」 for formal large official events, 「〜式」 for weddings and graduations, 「祭り」 for festivals, 「お祝い」 for celebrations. 「セレモニー」 is a neutral loanword; 「形式」 is about outward form, not the event itself. 「儀」「典礼」「典」「儀典」「祭事」「礼式」 are written, formal or rare.

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

1. 神事しんじ・祭事さいじ・慶弔けいちょうなど一定いっていの作法さほう・形式けいしきに従したがって行おこなわれる行事ぎょうじ。