counter for rules
Used as a suffix attached to numbers to count rules, regulations, or articles in a legal or formal context. Common in phrases like 第一条 (article 1) when referring to rules.
There are ten rules in total in this regulation.
Rare standalone noun meaning 'rule' or 'regulation'. In modern Japanese, 規則 or ルール are far more common. Mostly found in formal or legal documents, or in compound words like 校則 (school rules).
This violated the rule.
This rule originates from an old law.
The school regulations contain many rules.
規則 is the everyday word for 'rule' or 'regulation', while 則 is a rare, formal counterpart used mainly as a suffix or in compounds.
ルール is the common, casual loanword for 'rule' used in everyday conversation, whereas 則 is a stiff, formal term rarely used alone.
則 (そく) means 'rule/regulation', while 即 (そく) means 'immediate/instant'; they share the same reading but are written and used quite differently.
rule; regulation
principle; general rule · as a rule; in principle; generally
law; rule; principle
foul; rule violation in sports · rule-breaking; violation; breach; infraction
punishment; penalty · penal regulations; penal provisions; penal code
school rules; school regulations
irregularity; anomaly; irregular
ironclad rule; inviolable rule; iron law
supplementary provisions; additional rules; by-laws
The kanji 則 originally means 'rule' or 'law' and is used in many compound words. The reading そく is the on'yomi. The standalone noun use is rare; the suffix/counter use is a grammatical extension.
correct; proper; regular; systematic · invertible (matrix); holomorphic
teaching rules; instructional guidelines
bylaws; detailed regulations
prohibition; ban; forbidden rule
four basic arithmetic operations
society rules; club regulations; constitution
general rule; common rule; common provisions
school regulations
general provisions; general rules
regulations; standard; rule
rules; original rules; basic rules
party rules; party regulations
regulations; rules; code
natural law; rule of heaven
9th note of the ancient Chinese chromatic scale (approx. A♯) · seventh lunar month
code; rule; regulation
established rule; law
dormitory rules
store rules (for employees)
general rules; general principles
port regulations