Translation guide
The English word "regular" covers several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical categories and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
my regular coffee
regular exercise
regular customer
Describing something that happens routinely, is standard, or is the normal state.
Used before a noun to mean 'the usual X' or 'my regular X'. Very common in daily conversation.
I sat in my regular seat.
I'll have my regular coffee, please.
Means 'periodic' or 'at regular intervals'. Used for scheduled events, check-ups, etc.
Means 'ordinary' or 'standard'. Slightly more formal than いつもの.
Refers to one's everyday or usual state. Often used for clothes, behavior, etc.
Please come in your regular clothes.
Describing something that occurs at equal intervals or has a uniform arrangement.
Referring to the standard size of a product (e.g., coffee, fries) as opposed to large or small.
A person who often goes to a particular shop, restaurant, etc.
Describing a verb that follows standard conjugation rules.
Referring to a professional standing army, as opposed to reserves or militia.
レギュラー is mainly for sizes or as a loanword in specific phrases. For habitual or normal things, use いつもの or 定期的な.
Incorrect for 'regular life'
I get regular health check-ups.
Please follow the regular procedure.
Means 'regular' in the sense of orderly, rhythmic, or at fixed intervals. Often used for habits, heartbeat, etc.
Lead a regular life.
Buses come at regular intervals.
Literally 'equal intervals'. Used for physical spacing or timing.
Trees are planted at regular intervals.
Loanword from English, commonly used for sizes in cafes and fast food. Often paired with サイズ.
A regular-sized coffee, please.
Means 'ordinary' or 'normal'. Can be used for sizes, but レギュラー is more specific for commercial contexts.
Regular size, please.
Noun meaning 'regular customer'. Very common.
He's a regular at this shop.
More explicit 'regular customer'. Slightly more formal.
A bar where regulars gather.
Linguistic term for 'regular verb'. Used in grammar contexts.
English regular verbs add -ed for the past tense.
Means 'regular army' or 'regular forces'. Used in military or historical contexts.
The regular army fought the militia.
◯ 規則正しい生活
Correct: regular life