The word 形式 is formed through the semantic combination of its two constituent characters: 形 (xíng), which carries the core meaning of "shape", "form", or "appearance", and 式 (shì), which means "pattern", "model", or "style". Together, they create a compound where 形 provides the fundamental concept of an outer configuration or visible structure, while 式 modifies and refines this by implying an established, conventional, or structured type of form. The resulting term 形式 thus conceptually fuses the idea of a visible or tangible "form" with the notion of a "formal" or systematic pattern, arriving at its comprehensive meaning referring to the outward shape, structure, or formal arrangement of something.