<p>The way out of your conundrum is to realize your original assumption <code>I know both of them mean "style"</code> is the source of confusion.</p>

<p>Words can become flexible and have more than one meaning, or "senses of the word". However, usually when asking about the meaning of a word, we are talking about the primary, or most common usage of a word.</p>

<p>In this case, even if both 款式 and 格式 can sometimes be used as "style", only one of them can be considered "style" as its primary use, primary meaning.</p>

<h2>款式</h2>

<p>Out of the choices, only this would have a primary meaning of "style"</p>

<p><a href="http://cdict.net/?q=%E6%AC%BE%E5%BC%8F" rel="nofollow">CDICT search for 款式</a> translates this as:</p>

<ul>
<li>pattern</li>
<li>style</li>
<li>design</li>
</ul>

<h2>格式</h2>

<p><a href="http://cdict.net/?q=%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F" rel="nofollow">CDICT search for 格式</a> translates this as:</p>

<ul>
<li>form</li>
<li>specification</li>
<li>format</li>
</ul>

<p>On a more technical note, <a href="http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/character-etymology.php?zi=%E6%A0%BC" rel="nofollow">Yellowbridge etymology on the word 格</a> shows</p>

<ul>
<li>木 [mù] tree; wood, lumber; wooden</li>
<li>各 [gè] each, individually, every, all</li>
</ul>

<p>Perhaps one way think of what this word means, is that, at least in ancient times when this word was developed, wood was commonly thought of as a practical material for making, reshaping all kinds of different "forms" or "things"</p>

<p>In Taoism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Feng Shui, within their five elements, 木 or "wood element" is associated with creation/creating.</p>

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

<p>So, as long as you can let go of the idea that both "mean" style, then you can see that the difference in these terms is:</p>

<ul>
<li>款式's primary use/meaning/sense is "style"</li>
<li>格式's primary use/meaning/sense is "form"</li>
</ul>

<p>Unless you are not sure what the difference between the words "style" and "form", that would be new question then.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-03T03:39:37.760Z
2015-12-03T03:39:37.760Z
clarity123
<p>I know both of them mean "style", but don't know the difference between the two words. </p>

<p>Can somebody tell me the difference? I would appreciate it</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-02T12:34:06.877Z
Actually, 格式 is more like 'format' (like e.g. "file format", etc.), and 款式 is like general style (trend), like e.g. as in "latest Paris style".
imrek
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-02T13:13:25.110Z
in case a given dictionary (which ?) only has "style" for both, some users would suggest consulting additional online dictionaries e.g. iciba:格式 form; format; pattern; layout 款式:model; style; design; fashion; pattern (also there find example sentences and compounds)
user6065
<difference>
What is the difference between 款式 and 格式
# What is the difference between 款式 and 格式

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-02)

I know both of them mean "style", but don't know the difference between the two words.

Can somebody tell me the difference? I would appreciate it

**Tags:** difference

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Actually, 格式 is more like 'format' (like e.g. "file format", etc.), and 款式 is like general style (trend), like e.g. as in "latest Paris style".  
> **username_2**: in case a given dictionary (which ?) only has "style" for both, some users would suggest consulting additional online dictionaries e.g. iciba:格式 form; format; pattern; layout 款式:model; style; design; fashion; pattern (also there find example sentences and compounds)  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-12-03. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

The way out of your conundrum is to realize your original assumption `I know both of them mean "style"` is the source of confusion.

Words can become flexible and have more than one meaning, or "senses of the word". However, usually when asking about the meaning of a word, we are talking about the primary, or most common usage of a word.

In this case, even if both 款式 and 格式 can sometimes be used as "style", only one of them can be considered "style" as its primary use, primary meaning.

## 款式

Out of the choices, only this would have a primary meaning of "style"

[CDICT search for 款式](http://cdict.net/?q=%E6%AC%BE%E5%BC%8F) translates this as:

* pattern
* style
* design

## 格式

[CDICT search for 格式](http://cdict.net/?q=%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F) translates this as:

* form
* specification
* format

On a more technical note, [Yellowbridge etymology on the word 格](http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/character-etymology.php?zi=%E6%A0%BC) shows

* 木 [mù] tree; wood, lumber; wooden
* 各 [gè] each, individually, every, all

Perhaps one way think of what this word means, is that, at least in ancient times when this word was developed, wood was commonly thought of as a practical material for making, reshaping all kinds of different "forms" or "things"

In Taoism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Feng Shui, within their five elements, 木 or "wood element" is associated with creation/creating.

## Conclusion

So, as long as you can let go of the idea that both "mean" style, then you can see that the difference in these terms is:

* 款式's primary use/meaning/sense is "style"
* 格式's primary use/meaning/sense is "form"

Unless you are not sure what the difference between the words "style" and "form", that would be new question then.


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