also: がた
Broadly refers to the physical shape or abstract form of something. As a suffix (がた), it indicates a pattern, type, or model, such as in 新型 (new model) or 流れ型 (streamlined shape).
This vase has an unusual shape.
Used in financial or legal contexts to refer to something pledged as security for a loan or obligation. Often appears in compounds like 形無し (worthless as collateral).
obverse of an old zeni coin
Historical numismatic term referring to the front side of an old Japanese coin (zeni). Rare outside specialized contexts.
See also: 銭
A new model of smartphone was released.
They took the land as collateral for the debt.
The obverse of the old coin is inscribed with characters.
promissory note; bill; draft · handprint · signed handprint
memento of a deceased person; keepsake; heirloom
form; shape; mold; build up
hoe-shaped helmet crest · stag beetle
square shape; rectangular shape; oblong
floral pattern; flower-shaped design · star; leading figure; headliner
trace; vestige; evidence
model; miniature; pattern · sample; specimen · prescribed form; standard format
houseboat; roofed pleasure boat
rhombus; diamond shape; lozenge
freestyle (swimming)
koma shape; five-sided shape like a shogi piece
onnagata; male actor in female kabuki roles · female partner; woman in a relationship
fan shape; fan-shaped · sector (of a circle)
boat-shaped; navicular
crescent shape
dental impression; tooth mold · tooth mark; teeth marks
capital style; fashionable style of the capital
slender figure; slim build
sword shape
square shape; square · square bearing block (atop a pillar) · castle square; bailey between gates
dildo (historical, made of horn, shell, or papier-mâché)
representation of a sacred object; substitute effigy · paper doll for purification; hitogata
villain role; villain's part · bad shape; poor formation
bowl-shaped; dome-shaped
fine pattern
molding; moulding
Standard kanji spelling for the reading かた. Used for shape, form, and pattern senses.
Suffix reading がた, used in compounds to indicate a pattern, type, or model.
The kanji 形 is a pictograph combining 开 (two hands) and 彡 (hair), originally depicting a pattern or shape. The reading かた is native Japanese, while がた is a voiced variant used in compounds.