regel

Regel is a German noun meaning rule, guideline, regulation, or principle. It denotes a standard or directive that governs behavior, procedures, or systems. In everyday use, one speaks of Verhaltensregeln (behavioral rules), Verkehrsregeln (traffic rules), or the Regelwerk (set of rules). The plural form is Regeln.

Etymology and cognates: The word Regel originates from Latin regula and entered Germanic languages through medieval contact. It has cognates in several closely related languages, including Dutch regel, Norwegian regel, and Swedish regel, all of which carry the sense of a rule or regulation. The term is also productive in many German compounds that describe normative standards, such as Rechenregel (arithmetic rule) or Grammatikregel (grammar rule).

Usage and scope: Regel expresses normative guidance rather than descriptive fact and is common in law, administration, science, and everyday life. It appears in phrases describing formal rules as well as informal conventions. In German, rules can be explicit laws or tacit conventions, and Regel is used across domains to label both.

Other senses: In colloquial German, die Regel can also refer to a menstrual period. This usage reflects the broader sense of an expected or recurring standard in daily life. Outside of German, the root appears in related European languages with similar meanings, though each language has its own preferred terms for specific contexts.

Surname and naming: Regel is also found as a surname in German- and Dutch-speaking regions, where it may be borne by individuals or families.