Regeln

Regeln is the plural noun in German for rules, guidelines, or norms that govern actions, processes, or behavior within a system. A Regel describes a standard or expected pattern that members of a community or participants in a system are supposed to follow. The singular form is Regel, and Regeln denotes multiple rules.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the German Regel, from Old High German regel, related to other Germanic terms for standard. Rules appear across many domains: social norms (Verhaltensregeln), legal and administrative frameworks (Verkehrsregeln, Hausregeln and Gesetzesregel), games (Spielregeln), and technical standards.

Kinds of rules: Normative rules prescribe behavior (prescriptive rules), while descriptive rules describe regularities or patterns, such as linguistic grammar rules. Some rules are formal and codified in texts (Gesetz, Verordnung, Hausordnung); others are informal or customary. The plural form is used when listing several rules.

Regeln as a verb: regeln means to regulate, manage, or arrange something, or to settle a matter. Conjugation varies with subject: ich regle, du regelst, er regelt, wir regeln, ihr regelt, sie regeln.

Related concepts: Regelwerk (a system or collection of rules), Verhaltensregeln (behavioral rules), Spielregeln (rules of a game). In computing, rule-based systems use if-then Regeln to guide decisions.