規約

• Reading: きやく
• Romaji: kiyaku
• Kanji breakdown: 規 (ki) — rule, standard, compass; 約 (yaku) — promise, agreement, approximately
• Pronunciation: /ki.ja.kɯ/

Meaning

Agreement; rules; terms of service; bylaws. A set of formally established rules governing conduct.

A compound noun: 規 (rule/standard) + 約 (promise/agreement). Commonly seen as 利用規約 (terms of use), サービス規約 (terms of service), and 会員規約 (membership rules). More binding and formal than ルール (rules). Nearly every website and app has 規約 that users must agree to.

Examples

1. サービスを利用する前に、利用規約を確認してください。 Please review the terms of use before using the service.
2. 規約に違反した場合、アカウントが停止される可能性がある。 If you violate the terms, your account may be suspended.
3. マンションの管理規約で、ペットの飼育が禁止されている。 Pets are prohibited under the condominium's management rules.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, IT, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 規 (ki, rule/standard/compass) + 約 (yaku, promise/agreement/approximately). The combination conveys formally agreed-upon standards.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal