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.
To express that a doctor or medical professional prescribes a medicine, treatment, or therapy.
The standard, neutral term for a doctor prescribing medicine. Used in medical contexts.
医者は私に抗生物質を処方した。
The doctor prescribed antibiotics for me.
A more casual, everyday way to say a doctor gives/prescribes medicine. Literally 'to give out medicine'.
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.
法律はこの手続きを厳密に規定している。
The law strictly prescribes this procedure.
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.
医者は新しい薬を処方した。
The doctor prescribed a new medication.
規則は最高速度を規定している。
The regulations prescribe a maximum speed limit.
The doctor prescribed cold medicine for me.
Specifically refers to writing a prescription (the paper). Often used when talking about the physical prescription slip.
医師が処方箋を書いて薬局に送った。
The doctor wrote a prescription and sent it to the pharmacy.
Similar to 規定する but slightly broader; can mean 'to stipulate' or 'to establish'. Often used in formal documents.
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.
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.
医師は患者に安静を指示した。
The doctor prescribed rest for the patient.