How to say "formula" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

処方しょほうCommon
noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'formula' only in the pharmaceutical sense: the prescription or composition of a medicine. Think of a doctor's prescription or a drug's formulation, not mathematics or general methods.
医者いしゃは患者かんじゃに薬くすりを処方しょほうした。↗
The physician prescribed his patient some medicine.
製法せいほうJLPT N1approx.Common
nounCovers 'formula' as a recipe or method of making something, especially in manufacturing. Suits a producer's formula for how a product is made, not mathematical or medical senses.
チーズの製法せいほうを教おしえてください。↗
Would you teach me how to make cheese?
定式ていしきCommon
no-adjectiveA marginal match for 'formula': it really refers to a prescribed form or established formality. Seldom the word you want when translating 'formula' in ordinary use.
方程式ほうていしきJLPT N2approx.Common
nounUse this when 'formula' means a mathematical equation or expression. It does not cover recipes, prescriptions, or ways of doing things.
以下いかの方程式ほうていしきの解かいを求もとめよ。↗
Find the solution to the following equation.
方式ほうしきJLPT N1approx.Common
nounCovers 'formula' as a method, system, or set way of doing something. Choose it for a formula in the sense of a procedure or approach, not a medical prescription or a mathematical equation.
彼かれは新あたらしい方式ほうしきを編み出あみだした。↗
He worked out a new formula.

Pick 処方 for medicinal prescriptions, 製法 for recipes or manufacturing methods, 方程式 for mathematical equations, 方式 for methods or systems, while 定式, meaning prescribed form or formality, is rarely the right choice.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

処方しょほうprescription (of medicine)
製法せいほうmanufacturing method
定式ていしきformula
方程式ほうていしきequation
方式ほうしきform
定石じょうせきstandard practice
フォーミュラformula
計算式けいさんしきformula
薬方やくほうprescription
公式こうしきformula (e.g. mathematical)
ミルクinfant formula
粉ミルクこなミルクbaby formula
式しきequation
型かたconvention

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