走过场

走過場
zǒuguòchǎng
verb HSK 7 #31,977

Meanings

  1. 1 to go through the motions
  2. 2 to do something as a mere formality

Examples

Zhè cì jiǎnchá zhǐshì zǒuguòchǎng, méiyǒu rènzhēn duìdài.
This inspection was just going through the motions; it wasn't taken seriously.
Huìyì bù néng zǒuguòchǎng, yào tǎolùn shíjì wèntí.
The meeting can't just be a formality; we need to discuss real issues.

Tips

history
Originally a theater term: 过场 refers to actors briefly crossing the stage between scenes without performing. The metaphor extends to doing something superficially without substance.

Stroke Order

zǒu
guò
chǎng