1.
occurring or arranged according to a clearly recognizable rule or fixed interval, not random or haphazard; regular, systematic, orderly
Describes something that follows a clear, consistent pattern — whether in time (a regular rhythm, regular hours), in space (a regular arrangement of objects), or in structure (a regular shape, a regular grammatical form). It is commonly applied to daily routines, heartbeats and pulses, the arrangement of buildings or plantings, scientific observations, and grammatical conjugations. The opposite is 不規則 ('irregular').
Composed of 規則 ('rule, regulation') + 的 (the common -teki suffix that turns a noun into a na-adjective meaning 'characterized by X' or 'of the nature of X'). Literally 'of the rule-nature,' i.e. exhibiting the property of following a rule.
Common patterns
規則的 is a na-adjective. Before a noun it takes な, and as an adverb it takes に.
- 規則的な + noun: regular [noun]
- 規則的に + verb: regularly [verb]
Common collocations
- 規則的な生活: a regular / well-ordered life
- 規則的な運動: regular (physical) exercise
- 規則的なリズム: a regular rhythm
- 規則的に並ぶ: to be lined up regularly
- 規則的に繰り返す: to repeat regularly
- 規則的な呼吸: regular breathing
Similar words
- 不規則: irregular — the direct opposite; extremely common in phrases like 不規則な生活 (an irregular/unhealthy lifestyle) and 不規則な脈 (an irregular pulse).
- 定期的: periodic, regular — emphasizes fixed intervals (e.g., regular check-ups, quarterly reports). Narrower than 規則的.
- 規則正しい: regular, disciplined — a closely related adjective meaning 'properly ordered.' Common in the fixed phrase 規則正しい生活 'a well-regulated lifestyle.'
- 整然とした: orderly, well-arranged — emphasizes tidy visual arrangement.
- 秩序ある: orderly, having order — emphasizes social or systemic order.
- 均等: even, uniform — emphasizes equal size or equal spacing.
Register
Neutral and widely used across both written and spoken language. Common in medical contexts (脈が規則的だ), health advice (規則的な運動), scientific description, and general talk about routines and patterns.
Related Words
Antonym:
不規則 (irregular)
Compare:
定期的 (periodic, regular)
Compare:
規則正しい (regular, disciplined)
Compare:
均等 (even, uniform)