How to say "note" in Japanese

• 音ねJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'note' as a sound or tone — a single musical note, or the ring of a voice or instrument. It is about what is heard, not anything written.
• メモJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThis is your word for a note as a brief written record: notes taken at a meeting or lecture, or a quick note to remind yourself of something.
  私の電話番号でんわばんごうをメモしましたか。↗

  Did you note down my phone number?
• 文ふみJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA formal or literary term for 'note' as a letter or written message. For an ordinary letter or note to someone, 手紙 is the word you will usually want.
• 手紙てがみJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounCovers 'note' in the sense of a letter — a written message sent to someone. Where 文 sounds formal or literary, this is the word for an ordinary letter or note.
  ここにあなたあての手紙てがみが何なん通つうかあります。↗

  Here are some letters for you.
• 札さつJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Covers 'note' only in the money sense: a banknote, paper money — what American English calls a bill. It never refers to a written or musical note.
  １０００円えん札さつをくずしていただけませんか。↗

  Could you break a 1,000 yen note?

Use 音 for a note as a sound or tone, 「メモ」 for a note you jot down, 文 or 手紙 for a note as a short letter (文 the literary choice), and 札 for a banknote.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 音ねsound
• メモnote
• 文ふみletter
• 手紙てがみletter
• 札さつbanknote
• 紙幣しへいpaper money
• 書簡しょかんletter
• 手記しゅきnote
• 備考びこうnote (for reference)
• 手控えてびかえnote
• 覚書おぼえがきmemo
• 書状しょじょうletter
• 付記ふきaddition
• 書付かきつけpaper
• 記するきするto write down
• お札おさつbanknote
• 書札しょさつletter
• 銀行券ぎんこうけんbanknote
• 心に留めるこころにとめるto bear in mind
• 譜ふ(sheet) music
• ノートnote
• 控えひかえnote
• 記きnotice
• 調べしらべtune
• はがきmemo
• 一筆いっぴつa few lines (of writing)
• 符ふsign
• 簡かんletter
• 音おと(musical) note
• 書しょletter