形・容|かたちkatachi[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun(physical) form; shape; figure
   物質ぶっしつは温度おんどによって形かたちを変かえる。↗

   Matter changes its form according to temperature.
2. nounvisage; (facial) features; appearance (of a person); figure; looksocc. written 貌
   神かみは自分じぶんの形かたちに人ひとを創造そうぞうされた。↗

   God created man in his own image.
3. nounform (as opposed to substance); manner (of action); style; (outward) appearance
   自然しぜんは、環境かんきょう面めんでの危険きけんに対たいしては他たの形かたちの防御ぼうぎょを与あたえている。↗

   Nature provides other forms of protection against environmental dangers.
4. noun(resultant) state; situation; condition; form
   地方ちほうの党員とういんたちは自党じとうに有利ゆうりな形かたちの選挙せんきょ区割くわりをもくろんでいます。↗

   Local party members are trying to gerrymander the district.
5. nounbehaviour (towards others); attitude; demeanor; manners
6. noun, goshape (positional qualities of a group of stones)

• Synonym外形がいけいWrittenWritten. The shape as seen from outside, stressing the outline, as in 「外形が似ている」; a Sino-Japanese word more formal than 「形」.
• Synonym形状けいじょうNeutralThe concrete shape of an object, as in 「葉の形状」; leans toward explanatory or technical description.
• SynonymシェイプCasualColloquial loanword for shape or body shape, mostly in fitness contexts like 「シェイプアップ」.
• SynonymフォームCasualColloquial loanword that can mean form or shape broadly, but is mostly heard for athletic form or a form to fill in, as in 「投球フォーム」 and 「入力フォーム」.
• Synonym形象けいしょうWrittenWritten. An image given concrete form, mostly in art or philosophy; a learned word, not everyday shape.
• Synonym形態けいたいWrittenWritten. The form or structure of an organization or organism, as in 「経営形態」 and 「生物の形態」.
• Synonym姿すがたNeutralA person's figure, silhouette, or overall look, as in 「後ろ姿」; centers on people rather than objects.
• Synonym容姿ようしWrittenWritten. A person's face and figure together, as in 「容姿端麗」; about human looks, not objects.
• Synonym格好かっこうCasualColloquial. How someone looks or is dressed, or putting on a show, as in 「変な格好」 and 「格好をつける」.
• Synonym形姿なりすがたWrittenWritten and old-fashioned. A person's overall appearance including dress, as in 「なりすがたを整える」; rare in modern usage.
• Synonym形体なりかたちWrittenWritten and archaic. A person's looks or appearance; little used in modern Japanese.
• Synonym姿形すがたかたちWrittenWritten. A person's figure and face taken as a whole, as in 「姿形が美しい」; centers on human looks.
• Related体裁ていさいNeutralHow things look to others—decency or face, as in 「体裁を気にする」; about the appearance shown to the world, not shape itself.
• Related外見がいけんNeutralHow a person or thing looks from the outside, as in 「外見で判断する」; stresses the surface look.
• Related様さまWrittenWritten. A state or appearance, as in 「生き生きとした様」; also the honorific suffix added to names.
• Related像ぞうWrittenWritten. A statue, portrait, or reflected image, as in 「仏像」 and 「鏡に映る像」; not shape in general.
• Related体型たいけいNeutralA person's body type or build, as in 「やせ型の体型」; used only for bodies, never for objects.
• Related装いよそおいWrittenWritten and elegant. Attire or adornment, or the overall look something is given, as in a building's 「新たな装い」; about presentation rather than shape.
• Related見かけみかけCasualColloquial. Surface looks, often contrasted with the reality, as in 「見かけによらない」.
• Related見栄えみばえCasualColloquial. How good something looks—whether it comes across as attractive, as in 「見栄えがする料理」; positive nuance.
• Related型かたNeutralA mold, type, or fixed pattern such as a martial-arts kata, as in 「型にはまる」; about set forms, not outward shape.
• Related形式けいしきWrittenWritten. Form as opposed to content, or a set format, as in 「形式だけの会議」; about structure, not physical shape.

For shape or outline, 「形」 is the default. Use 「形状」 for a concrete object's shape, 「外見」 or 「姿」 for a person's outward look, 「容姿」 for face and figure, 「格好」 for how someone is dressed, 「体裁」 for face or decency before others, 「型」 for fixed patterns, and 「形式」 for form as opposed to content. 「見かけ」 covers surface looks, 「体型」 body type, and 「フォーム」 and 「シェイプ」 are loanwords for sports form, input forms, and fitness.

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

1. （かたち）視覚しかくにより、他たと識別しきべつできる状態じょうたい、外観がいかん。