ガイドライン

がいどらいん
noun
guideline
1. guideline, set of standards
A set of recommendations or standards issued by an authority or organization, providing direction on how something should be done.
ガイドラインに(したが)う。
To follow the guidelines.
(あたら)しいガイドラインが発表(はっぴょう)された。
New guidelines were announced.
厚生(こうせい)労働省(ろうどうしょう)感染症(かんせんしょう)対策(たいさく)のガイドラインを改定(かいてい)した。
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revised its guidelines on infectious disease prevention.

From English "guideline." Used heavily in government, medical, and corporate contexts.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ガイドラインに(したが)う: to follow guidelines
  • ガイドラインを策定(さくてい)する: to formulate guidelines
  • ガイドラインを改定(かいてい)する: to revise guidelines
  • ガイドラインに(もと)づく: based on guidelines

NOTE:
ガイドライン is softer than 規則(きそく) (rules) or 法律(ほうりつ) (law). It suggests recommended standards rather than mandatory requirements, though in practice organizations may treat them as binding.