Translation guide
The English verb "prescribe" has two main uses: medical (doctors prescribing medicine) and formal (rules, laws, or authorities prescribing what must be done). These are expressed differently in Japanese.
The doctor prescribed antibiotics for me.
A more casual, everyday way to say a doctor gives/prescribes medicine. Literally 'to give out medicine'.
The doctor prescribed cold medicine for me.
Specifically refers to writing a prescription (the paper). Often used when talking about the physical prescription slip.
The doctor wrote a prescription and sent it to the pharmacy.
To express that a law, rule, authority, or standard prescribes what must be done or how something should be done.
The most common and neutral term for rules, laws, or standards prescribing something. Used in legal, official, and formal contexts.
The law strictly prescribes this procedure.
Similar to 規定する but slightly broader; can mean 'to stipulate' or 'to establish'. Often used in formal documents.
Means 'to instruct' or 'to direct'. Can be used when an authority prescribes a specific action, but it's less formal than 規定する and implies direct instruction.
処方する is strictly for medical prescriptions. Using it for rules or laws would sound unnatural. Use 規定する or 定める instead.
処方する is the formal medical term. 薬を出す is more conversational and commonly used in daily speech when talking about a doctor giving you medicine.
The doctor prescribed a new medication.
The regulations prescribe a maximum speed limit.
規則で定められた方法に従ってください。
Please follow the method prescribed by the regulations.
The doctor prescribed rest for the patient.