Explore 記 in words for writing and keeping information. Learn each reading with a complete word and a natural context.

The idea

記 has 10 strokes and combines 言 on the left with 己 on the right. Follow the linked stroke diagram. Its common on-reading is き; 日記 is にっき, with a small っ. 記す（しるす） means to write down.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
日記にっきI write a diary every night.
記事きじI read an interesting article in the newspaper.
記録きろくI keep a record of my daily exercise.
記入きにゅうPlease fill in your name here.

Examples

  • 毎晩まいばん、日記にっきを書かきます。I write a diary every night.
  • 新聞しんぶんで面白おもしろい記事きじを読よみました。I read an interesting article in the newspaper.
  • 会議かいぎを記録きろくしてください。Please record the meeting.
  • ここに名前なまえを記入きにゅうしてください。Please fill in your name here.
  • 毎日まいにちの運動うんどうを記録きろくしています。I keep a record of my daily exercise.
  • その記事きじはウェブサイトにあります。That article is on the website.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

記入 means filling in information on a form; 記録 means recording or a record. Do not assume every word with 記 is read き without checking the whole word.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 日記 in hiragana.

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    にっき

    日記 is にっき: the small っ marks a pause before き. It means a diary.

  2. Write the reading of 記事 in hiragana.

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    きじ

    記事 is きじ, an article such as one in a newspaper.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿入（きにゅう）［記／書］.

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    記

    記 completes 記入（きにゅう）, meaning to fill in information.

Use it today

Write 記 using the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read 日記 and 記事, then make a sentence with 記録.