How to say "memo" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe everyday word for a memo or note jotted down to remember something. This is usually what you want, whether writing a quick reminder to yourself or taking notes at a meeting.
- 覚書おぼえがきnounA formal memorandum, typically a brief written record of an agreement or discussion in business or legal settings. Suggests an official document rather than a casual jotting.
- 手記しゅきnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA written personal account or record of one's own experiences, such as a memoir or essay. Rarely the word for an ordinary memo; it really refers to extended personal writing.
- nounGlossed as memo, but it really means a postcard or card. It is seldom the word you want for a memo in the sense of a note or written record.
Use 「メモ」 for ordinary everyday notes, 覚書 for formal or business memoranda, 手記 for personal written records such as memoirs, and 「はがき」 only when referring to a postcard.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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