定め|さだめsadame[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounlaw; rule; regulation; provision; decision; appointment; arrangement; agreement
   この定さだめから逃のがれないといけない。↗

   I need to escape from this decree.
2. noundestiny; fate; karma

• Synonym決まりきまりNeutralRules, decisions and also habits — the everyday word for rules. 「定め」 is more written in tone and can also mean fate.
• Synonym規律きりつNeutralDiscipline and order, focusing on the state of observing rules; unlike 「定め」 it is not written-flavored and never means fate.
• Synonym規定きていNeutralWritten provisions or stipulations, and the act of stipulating them; leans formal. 「定め」 is more literary and can also mean fate.
• Synonym規則きそくNeutralRules and regulations in broad, neutral use; unlike 「定め」 it is not written-flavored and never refers to destiny.
• Synonym法令ほうれいFormalStatutes plus the government and ministerial orders that administrative bodies issue under them — national law. 「定め」 is a broader word for rules and also means fate.
• Synonym法度はっとNeutralA ban or prohibition, mostly as 「ご法度」; has an old-fashioned air. Unlike 「定め」 it is not written-flavored and does not mean fate.
• Synonym掟おきてNeutralRules a community, group or family must observe, with a traditional, binding force; 「定め」 additionally covers fate.
• SynonymルールCasualLoanword for rules, very common in conversation — games, sports and social rules; unlike 「定め」 it is casual and never means destiny.
• Synonym法ほうNeutralLaw or principle — the broadest of these words; unlike 「定め」 it is not written-flavored and does not by itself mean fate.
• Synonym約束やくそくNeutralA promise or agreement — made between two parties or pledged by one side; 「定め」 is more written and means rules or fate, not promises.
• Synonym条例じょうれいFormalA local ordinance — law passed by a municipal assembly; it names one category of local law, while 「定め」 is a general word for rules that can also mean fate.
• Synonym決めきめNeutralAn agreement or rule, as in 「決めを守る」; colloquial and not much used. 「定め」 is more written in tone and also means fate.
• Synonym規程きていNeutralA set of internal rules for office work and procedures; focuses on complete rule sets, unlike 「定め」 which is written-flavored and also means fate.
• Synonym因縁いんねんNeutralKarmic ties or destiny, and also nagging or picking a quarrel as in 「因縁をつける」; carries a Buddhist flavor.
• Synonym宿命しゅくめいNeutralA fate fixed before birth that cannot be changed, with a tragic shade; unlike 「定め」 it is not written-flavored, and it is the usual word for destiny.
• Synonym準則じゅんそくWrittenGuidelines or standards in written, administrative prose; unlike 「定め」 it stays on the rules side and never means fate.
• Related基準きじゅんNeutralA standard or benchmark to measure and judge by; unlike 「定め」 it is not written-flavored and does not refer to fate.
• Related規制きせいNeutralRegulation as control or restriction, as in 「規制緩和」; focuses on limiting behavior, not on rules as such or on fate.
• Related原則げんそくNeutralA basic principle or general rule, focusing on overall policy; unlike 「定め」 it is not written-flavored and does not mean destiny.
• Related規格きかくNeutralProduct and industrial standards, as in 「JIS規格」; focuses on specifications, not general rules or fate.
• Related法則ほうそくNeutralA law or regularity, as in 「自然の法則」; the focus is on objective patterns that hold under given conditions.

Use 「定め」 for rules and regulations, or for a destiny one is fated to, in a written, literary tone, as in 「法の定め」 and 「悲しい定め」. For everyday rules say 「決まり」, 「規則」 or the colloquial 「ルール」; for destiny say 「宿命」; for laws of nature say 「法則」.

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

1. 取り決とりきめ。決定けってい。
2. 規則きそく。
3. 運命うんめい。宿命しゅくめい。