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.
An official written record, such as a memorandum of understanding or a diplomatic note.
A formal diplomatic communication or note between governments.
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.
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.
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.
メモランダムを締結する。
To conclude a memorandum.
A memorandum book or record kept to aid memory. More personal and less formal than 覚書.
備忘録として日記をつけている。
I keep a diary as a memorandum.
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.