Translation guide
A written message or record used in business, legal, or formal contexts. Japanese uses loanwords for internal office memos and native terms for formal records or diplomatic notes.
A brief written message or note circulated within an organization.
The most common and natural word for a short note or memo in everyday office use. Covers both handwritten and digital notes.
会議の内容をメモしておいてください。
Please take a memo of the meeting contents.
上司にメモを残しました。
I left a memo for my boss.
Explicitly means an internal company memo. Slightly more formal than メモ alone.
社内メモで新しいルールが通知された。
The new rule was announced in an internal memo.
Refers to a circulated memo or document passed around for everyone to read. Common in traditional office settings.
回覧を次の人に回してください。
Please pass the memo on to the next person.
An official written record, such as a memorandum of understanding or a diplomatic note.
A formal memorandum or written record, often used in legal and diplomatic contexts. Can also mean a personal note for memory.
両社は覚書を交わした。
The two companies exchanged a memorandum.
覚書に署名してください。
Please sign the memorandum.
Direct loanword used in formal business or legal contexts, often for international documents.
A memorandum book or record kept to aid memory. More personal and less formal than 覚書.
A formal diplomatic communication or note between governments.
The standard term for a diplomatic memorandum or memorandum of understanding between states.
外務省は覚書を発表した。
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a memorandum.
Explicitly a diplomatic memorandum. Used when clarity is needed.
外交覚書が大使館に送られた。
A diplomatic memorandum was sent to the embassy.
メモ is for everyday notes and office memos. 覚書 is for formal, often legally binding documents. Using 覚書 for a sticky note would sound overly dramatic.
ちょっとメモを取って。
Just take a quick memo.
契約の覚書を作成する。
Draft a memorandum of agreement.
メモランダムを締結する。
To conclude a memorandum.
備忘録として日記をつけている。
I keep a diary as a memorandum.