定(さだ)め

さだめ

noun

fate; destiny; rule; regulation; decision

literary

1. fate; destiny; lot in life

An inevitable course of events or situation determined by fate. Often used when accepting something as unavoidable.

これが私(わたし)の定(さだ)めなのだろう。

I suppose this is my fate.

人(ひと)はいつか死(し)ぬのが定(さだ)めだ。

It is the fate of all people to someday die.

運命(うんめい)の定(さだ)めを受(う)け入(い)れて、前(まえ)に進(すす)むしかない。

I have no choice but to accept what fate has decided and move forward.

2. rule; regulation; provision; stipulation

An established rule, law, or regulation that must be followed.

会(かい)の定(さだ)めに従(したが)って決定(けってい)した。

We made the decision according to the rules of the organization.

法(ほう)の定(さだ)めにより届出(とどけで)が必要(ひつよう)だ。

A notification is required by law.

契約(けいやく)の定(さだ)めに違反(いはん)した場合(ばあい)は、罰金(ばっきん)が科(か)される。

If you violate the provisions of the contract, a fine will be imposed.

Etymology

Noun form of 定(さだ)める (to determine, to establish).

Two main meanings

1. FATE/DESTINY:
Used when accepting something as predetermined or inevitable:

運命(うんめい)の定(さだ)め - fate's decree
人(ひと)の定(さだ)め - human destiny
死(し)は定(さだ)め - death is certain

This usage is literary and philosophical.

2. RULE/REGULATION:
More formal/written usage for established rules:

法(ほう)の定(さだ)め - provisions of law
会則(かいそく)の定(さだ)め - organizational rules

Common patterns

〜は定(さだ)めだ - ~ is fate/inevitable
定(さだ)めに従(したが)う - to follow the rules/fate
定(さだ)めを受(う)け入(い)れる - to accept one's fate
定(さだ)めを変(か)える - to change one's fate

SIMILAR WORDS (Fate):

運命(うんめい) - fate, destiny (common)
宿命(しゅくめい) - fate, destiny (emphasizes being predetermined)
天命(てんめい) - divine will, heaven's decree
因縁(いんねん) - karmic fate

SIMILAR WORDS (Rule):

規則(きそく) - rule (common)
規定(きてい) - regulation, provision
決(き)まり - rule, custom

Register

Somewhat literary/formal for the "fate" meaning. More technical for the "rule" meaning.

Related Words

Synonym: 運命(うんめい) (fate, destiny (common))

Synonym: 宿命(しゅくめい) (fate (predetermined))

Compare: 天命(てんめい) (divine will, heaven's decree)

Compare: 因縁(いんねん) (karmic fate)

Compare: 規則(きそく) (rule)

Compare: 規定(きてい) (regulation, provision)

Compare: 決(き)まり (rule, custom)

general

Added 2026.1.19 22:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

07000/07461_sadame