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形ばかり (かたちばかり) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
token ; for form's sake ; perfunctory
Describes something done or given merely as a formality, without real substance or sincerity. Often used in humble contexts when offering a small gift or gesture.
た
。
He gave a perfunctory apology.
Written forms 形ばかり
形許り
rarely-used kanji form
かたばかり
Similar words おざなり おざなり implies doing something half-heartedly or carelessly, while 形ばかり emphasizes that the action is done only for appearance's sake, often with awareness of its emptiness.
形けい 式しき 的てき 形式的 is more formal and often used in official or procedural contexts, whereas 形ばかり can be used in everyday situations and carries a nuance of being a mere token.
Etymology Compound of 形 (かたち, 'form, shape') and ばかり ('only, just'). Literally 'just a form', it came to mean something done or given merely for appearance's sake.
