形かたちばかり

か

た

ち

ば

か

り

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.

これは形かたちばかりのお礼れいです。

This is just a small token of my gratitude.

彼かれは形かたちばかりの謝しゃ罪ざいをした。

He gave a perfunctory apology.

会かい議ぎは形かたちばかりで、実じっ質しつ的てきな議ぎ論ろんはなかった。

The meeting was just for show; there was no real discussion.

Kanji

形shape, form, style
許permit, approve

Related 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.

Written forms

形ばかり
- かたちばかり
  Standard spelling; the reading かたちばかり is the most common.
- かたばかり
形許り
rarely-used kanji form
- かたちばかり
  Rare kanji form using 許り for ばかり; not recommended for learners.
- かたばかり
かたばかり

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.