レギュラー

れぎゅらー
noun / na-adjective
regular; regular member
1. regular member, starter
A member who regularly participates or is part of the main lineup, especially in sports teams or TV shows. Contrasts with substitute or guest members.
(かれ)はサッカー()のレギュラーだ。
He is a regular (starter) on the soccer team.
練習(れんしゅう)頑張(がんば)って、やっとレギュラーに(えら)ばれた。
I practiced hard and was finally chosen as a regular.
あの番組(ばんぐみ)のレギュラーを(さん)年間(ねんかん)(つと)めた。
I served as a regular on that show for three years.
2. regular (size/grade), standard
The standard or normal option, as opposed to large, premium, or special versions. Commonly used for gasoline grades and coffee sizes.
レギュラー満タン(まんたん)でお(ねが)いします。
Fill it up with regular, please.
コーヒーのレギュラーサイズをください。
A regular-size coffee, please.
このガソリンスタンドではレギュラーとハイオクの()種類(しゅるい)(あつか)っている。
This gas station carries two types: regular and premium.

USAGE: レギュラー is a loanword from English "regular" with two main uses in Japanese.

Sense 1 (regular member): Strongly associated with sports and entertainment. Being a レギュラー on a team means being a starter, not a substitute (補欠(ほけつ)).

Sense 2 (standard grade): Most commonly heard at gas stations. Japanese gas stations offer レギュラー (regular octane) and ハイオク (high-octane/premium).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • レギュラーに(えら)ばれる (to be selected as a starter)
  • レギュラーを(はず)される (to be dropped from the regular lineup)
  • レギュラー番組(ばんぐみ) (regular show, show one appears on regularly)
  • レギュラー満タン(まんたん) (fill up with regular gas)