mere formality; empty regulations; paper tiger
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
mere formality; regulations existing only on paper without practical effect
formalOften used in the set phrase '一纸具文' (a mere piece of paper), carrying a negative connotation of bureaucratic ineffectiveness.
Zhè这
xiē些
guī规
dìng定
bù不
guò过
shì是
yī一
zhǐ纸
jù具
wén文
，
cóng从
wèi未
zhēn真
zhèng正
zhí执
xíng行
guò过
。
These regulations are nothing but a mere formality and have never been truly enforced.
Rú如
guǒ果
fǎ法
lǜ律
lún沦
wéi为
jù具
wén文
，
shè社
huì会
de的
gōng公
píng平
zhèng正
yì义
jiù就
wú无
cóng从
tán谈
qǐ起
。
If laws become empty formalities, there is no way to talk about social fairness and justice.
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Zhè这
fèn份
xié协
yì议
bù不
néng能
zhǐ只
shì是
jù具
wén文
，
bì必
xū须
zhú逐
xiàng项
luò落
shí实
。
This agreement cannot remain a mere formality; it must be implemented item by item.
Nà那
xiē些
fán繁
suǒ琐
de的
shěn审
pī批
chéng程
xù序
zǎo早
yǐ已
chéng成
wéi为
jù具
wén文
，
bèi被
dà大
jiā家
suǒ所
hū忽
shì视
。
Those cumbersome approval procedures have long become empty formalities, ignored by everyone.