Translation guide
A personal record of daily events, thoughts, or feelings. Japanese distinguishes between a daily journal (日記) and a schedule book (手帳). The most common word is 日記.
A book or digital record where you write about your daily life, thoughts, and feelings.
The standard word for a personal diary or journal. Used for daily entries about one's life.
毎日日記をつけています。
I keep a diary every day.
日記を読むと、その日のことを思い出します。
Reading my diary reminds me of that day.
Specifically a diary notebook. Emphasizes the physical book.
新しい日記帳を買いました。
I bought a new diary notebook.
Loanword from English. Sometimes used for stylish or Western-style diaries, but less common than 日記.
このダイアリーはおしゃれですね。
This diary is stylish, isn't it?
A book for noting appointments, plans, and schedules, not personal thoughts.
A pocket notebook or planner for schedules, memos, and appointments. Not for personal journaling.
スケジュールは手帳に書いてあります。
My schedule is written in my planner.
手帳を見ながら予定を確認する。
I check my plans while looking at my planner.
A digital diary or blog where entries are shared publicly or privately online.
The standard term for a blog. Often used for personal online diaries.
旅行のことをブログに書きました。
I wrote about my trip on my blog.
Literally 'online diary'. Used for personal journal-style websites.
オンライン日記を毎日更新しています。
I update my online diary every day.
A record of a journey, often with observations and experiences.
A travelogue or travel diary. Can be a published book or personal record.
彼の旅行記を読んで、私も旅に出たくなった。
Reading his travel diary made me want to go on a trip too.
日記 is for personal thoughts and daily events; 手帳 is for schedules and practical notes. Using 日記 for a planner sounds odd.
日記に今日の出来事を書く。
I write today's events in my diary.
手帳に会議の予定を書く。
I write the meeting schedule in my planner.
ダイアリー is sometimes used for personal journals but not for business planners. Stick to 手帳 for schedules.
Literally 'schedule book'. Emphasizes the scheduling function.
来年のスケジュール帳を買う時期です。
It's time to buy next year's schedule book.
A ring-bound organizer system like Filofax. Refillable pages.
システム手帳のリフィルを交換する。
I replace the refills in my organizer.
A ship's log or nautical diary. Very specific to sea voyages.
船長は航海日誌をつける義務がある。
The captain is obliged to keep a logbook.