How to say "rules" in Japanese

• 条例じょうれいCommon
  nounFormal regulations enacted by a local government, such as a prefecture or city. Use it for official local rules and ordinances, not for the rules of a club, game, or service.
• 規約きやくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRules that members of an organization or users of a service agree to abide by; a natural choice for membership rules and terms of use, carrying the nuance of an agreement.
  新あたらしい規約きやくは全会ぜんかい一致いっちで承認しょうにんされた。↗

  The new regulations were confirmed by the full committee.
• 本則ほんそくCommon
  nounThe original or main rules, especially in formal or legal contexts, as opposed to exceptions or supplementary provisions; seldom the word you want for 'rules' in everyday senses.
• 憲法けんぽうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA constitution — the fundamental rules of a state. It matches 'rules' only in this sense; for rules in general it is not the word you want.
• コードJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA loanword for 'code': a named set of rules, as in codes of dress or conduct. Use it where English would say 'code'; for 'rules' in general other words fit better.

For 'rules', 規約 covers rules agreed to by members or users, 条例 local-government regulations, and 「コード」 named codes; 本則 means the original or main rules and 憲法 is a constitution, so neither suits everyday 'rules'.

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

• 条例じょうれいregulations
• 規約きやくagreement
• 本則ほんそくrules
• 憲法けんぽうrules
• コードcode
• 規律きりつrules
• 心得こころえrules