Nuances between words meaning "official" and "formal"


Specifically, I am thinking of 形式, 公式, 公, and 正式. I have a vague notion that
公式 is closer to the English "official" in that it is for typically for some
explicitly declared things by an organization like a 公式発表 or a 公式見解, but
beyond that the nuance eludes me.




I think that looking at the kanji and example sentences should probably give
you a hint about the meaning.

`正式` the correct/proper form

[code]

    彼女は夫と正式に離婚した
    
[/code]

She divorced from her husband in the correct form (legally/officialy).

彼女のその服は正式なパーティーでは場違いだ

Those clothes of her, in a party in the correct form (formal) are out of
place.

`形式` seems more associated with format.

[code]

    彼はそれを小説の形式で表した
    
[/code]

He expressed it in the form of novel.

But also formality

[code]

    一般に若者は形式を嫌う
    
[/code]

In general, young people dislike formalities.

[code]

    形式的な文体で書きなさい
    
[/code]

Write using a formal literary style.

This could easily be written using 正式.

`公式` is the form that is for the public. I think you get this one. It's really
close to the "official" word in english, But it can also be used as "formula"
in the mathematical sense.

`公` seems to lean to the "public" meaning in the sense that it's not private.

[code]

    その老人は１０年前に公の生活から引退した。
    
[/code]

The old man retired from public life ten years ago.

I hope this helps somehow.




I think that looking at the kanji and example sentences should probably give
you a hint about the meaning.

`正式` the correct/proper form

[code]

    彼女は夫と正式に離婚した
    
[/code]

She divorced from her husband in the correct form (legally/officialy).

彼女のその服は正式なパーティーでは場違いだ

Those clothes of her, in a party in the correct form (formal) are out of
place.

`形式` seems more associated with format.

[code]

    彼はそれを小説の形式で表した
    
[/code]

He expressed it in the form of novel.

But also formality

[code]

    一般に若者は形式を嫌う
    
[/code]

In general, young people dislike formalities.

[code]

    形式的な文体で書きなさい
    
[/code]

Write using a formal literary style.

This could easily be written using 正式.

`公式` is the form that is for the public. I think you get this one. It's really
close to the "official" word in english, But it can also be used as "formula"
in the mathematical sense.

`公` seems to lean to the "public" meaning in the sense that it's not private.

[code]

    その老人は１０年前に公の生活から引退した。
    
[/code]

The old man retired from public life ten years ago.

I hope this helps somehow.

