書き留める・書きとめる・書留める・書き止める|かきとめるkakitomeru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
かきとどめるkakitodomeru
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Which spelling to use
書き留める書き留める is the most common and standard spelling, written with mixed kanji and kana; it is the recommended choice for learners.
書きとめる書きとめる is less common than 書き留める and is another mixed kanji-kana spelling. Learners should normally choose 書き留める instead.
書留める書留める is less common than 書きとめる and uses mixed kanji and kana. It is a variant spelling; learners should choose 書き留める.
書き止める書き止める is the least common of these forms and uses mixed kanji and kana, with an irregular kanji spelling. Learners should use 書き留める instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto write down; to make a note of; to put on record; to chronicle
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 書き留める（かきとめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 書き留めます（かきとめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 書き留めない（かきとめない） |
| polite (masen) | 書き留めません（かきとめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 書き留めず・書き留めぬ（かきとめず・かきとめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 書き留めた（かきとめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 書き留めました（かきとめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 書き留めなかった（かきとめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 書き留めませんでした（かきとめませんでした） |
| Te form | 書き留めて（かきとめて） |
| Potential | 書き留められる（かきとめられる） |
| Passive | 書き留められる（かきとめられる） |
| Causative | 書き留めさせる（かきとめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 書き留めさせられる（かきとめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 書き留めれば（かきとめれば） |
| tara | 書き留めたら（かきとめたら） |
| Volitional | 書き留めよう（かきとめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 書き留めましょう（かきとめましょう） |
| Imperative | 書き留めろ（かきとめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym記すしるすWrittenA written-style verb for writing down or recording, often seen in prose as 「〜と記す」; unlike 「書き留める」 it does not stress fear of forgetting.
- Synonym記録きろくNeutralA noun for a record kept for later use, or a sports record; its range is broad and can include audio and video recordings, not just writing.
- Synonym筆記ひっきNeutralRefers to taking notes by hand, as in 「筆記用具」 and 「筆記試験」; 「書き留める」 stresses writing something down so as not to forget it.
- Synonym書き入れるかきいれるNeutralA verb for writing something into blank space or filling in a form; it focuses on where the writing goes, not on keeping a memo.
- Synonym記載きさいNeutralMeans writing something into a document or publishing it in material; common for formal entries in forms and contracts.
- Synonym書き記すかきしるすNeutralWrites text down to leave it as a record, with a more solemn, deliberate feel; 「書き留める」 stresses jotting something down quickly for fear of forgetting.
- Synonym書き付けるかきつけるNeutralJots a quick note for memo purposes, very close to 「書き留める」 in meaning but used less often.
- Synonym録するろくするWrittenA verb meaning to put on record; extremely written/formal and rarely used in modern Japanese.
- Synonym記するきするWrittenA verb meaning to write down or to keep in mind; archaic and rare in modern use.
For jotting something down so you won't forget it, use 「書き留める」 or 「メモする」. For recording or stating in written prose, use 「記す」; for filling in forms, 「記入」; for formal entries in documents, 「記載」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
