Translation guide
How to express that a rule, law, policy, or change becomes active or starts to apply.
The speaker wants to say that a law, rule, or regulation officially starts to apply.
The standard, formal term for a law or regulation coming into effect. Used in official contexts.
新しい法律は来年4月に施行されます。
The new law will take effect in April next year.
Often used for treaties, agreements, or contracts becoming effective. Slightly more formal and specific to documents.
条約は批准から30日後に発効する。
The treaty takes effect 30 days after ratification.
A legalistic phrase meaning 'to become effective' or 'to come into force'. Used in contracts and legal documents.
この契約は署名と同時に効力を生じる。
This contract takes effect upon signing.
The speaker wants to say that a change, measure, or action begins to have its intended impact.
Literally 'the effect appears'. Natural way to say that a measure or action starts showing results.
薬の効果が現れるまでに時間がかかる。
It takes time for the medicine to take effect.
More casual than 効果が現れる. Often used for medicine, treatments, or practical measures.
この薬はすぐに効き目が出ます。
This medicine takes effect quickly.
Means 'to demonstrate/exert its effect'. Used when something shows its full effectiveness, often in formal or written contexts.
新しい政策が効果を発揮し始めた。
The new policy has begun to take effect.
The speaker wants to say that something becomes operative or starts to apply, without specifying law or medicine.
Means 'to be applied'. Used when a rule, condition, or setting becomes applicable.
新しいルールは明日から適用されます。
The new rule takes effect from tomorrow.
Literally 'become valid/effective'. Common for tickets, coupons, passwords, or settings becoming active.
このクーポンは来月から有効になります。
This coupon takes effect from next month.
施行される is the general term for laws and regulations coming into effect. 発効する is more specific to treaties, contracts, and international agreements. In many legal contexts they overlap, but 発効する emphasizes the moment a document becomes legally binding.
法律は公布から1年後に施行される。
The law takes effect one year after promulgation.
協定は署名と同時に発効する。
The agreement takes effect upon signing.
Do not translate 'take effect' literally as 効果を取る or 効果を持つ. These are not natural Japanese. Use the phrases provided above depending on context.