How to say "rule" in Japanese

• ルールJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for rules of games, sports, and everyday social settings, such as the rules of a game or house rules. It suits practical, informal rules rather than formal written regulations.
  このルールはすべての場合ばあいに当あてはまる。↗

  This rule applies to all cases.
• 支配しはいJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbRule in the sense of domination or control over people, land, or organizations, as in a country under foreign rule. It is not the word for rules of a game.
  静しずけさが森もりを支配しはいしていた。↗

  Silence reigned in the forest.
• 主義しゅぎJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounDoctrine, principle, or -ism: a creed or guiding principle one commits to and lives by. As a rendering of 'rule' it is marginal; it is not the word for game rules or regulations.
  それは私の主義しゅぎに反はんする。↗

  That runs against my principles.
• 法則ほうそくJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounLaw or rule in the scientific and mathematical sense: a fixed principle governing natural phenomena, as in laws of nature or physics. Not used for game rules or institutional regulations.
  あらゆるものは自然しぜんの法則ほうそくを受うけている。↗

  Everything is subject to the laws of nature.
• 規則きそくJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounRule or regulation in the formal, institutional sense: school rules, traffic rules, company regulations. Use it for established rules people are expected to obey, as distinct from the loanword ルール.
  この規則きそくはあなたにも当あてはまる。↗

  This rule applies to you, too.

Use 「ルール」 for everyday or game rules, 規則 for formal regulations, 支配 for ruling or controlling people and territories, 法則 for scientific laws, and 主義 only for doctrines or guiding principles.

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

• ルールrule
• 支配しはいrule
• 主義しゅぎdoctrine
• 法則ほうそくlaw
• 規則きそくrule
• 決まりきまりrule
• 統治とうちrule
• 政まつりごとrule
• 定めさだめlaw
• 決めきめagreement
• 掟おきてlaw
• 治めるおさめるto rule
• 規定きていstipulation
• 法のりrule
• 罫けいrule
• 律法りっぽうlaw
• 罫線けいせんruled line
• 治世ちせいrule
• 決まり事きまりごとrule
• 統領とうりょうrule
• 定まりさだまりrule
• 法式ほうしきrule
• 典憲てんけんrule
• 規矩きくstandard
• 準縄じゅんじょうa level and inked string
• 経略けいりゃくadministration
• 矩則くそくstandard
• 章程しょうていlaw
• 守則しゅそくcode
• 直尺ちょくじゃくlinear scale
• 制式せいしきdefined style
• 約束やくそくconvention
• 尺しゃくrule
• 格かくrule
• 司るつかさどるto rule
• 治するじするto rule
• 約束事やくそくごとconvention
• 尺度しゃくど(measuring) rule
• 世よreign