‘仪式’ (yí shì) is a noun meaning 'ceremony' — a formal, often symbolic event marking an important occasion, such as a wedding, graduation, or religious rite. The first character 仪 (yí) means 'ceremonial protocol' or 'formal conduct', while 式 (shì) means 'form', 'pattern', or 'type'. Together, they emphasize the structured, ritualized nature of the event — not just any gathering, but one with prescribed actions, order, and cultural significance.

This word appears frequently in both traditional and modern contexts: ancestral rites, state ceremonies, school award presentations, or even corporate launches. It carries a neutral-to-formal register and is rarely used for casual events. Unlike more general terms like 活动 (huó dòng, 'activity'), 仪式 implies intentionality, solemnity, and social recognition of transition or value.