rìjì: 日记 - Diary, Journal

• Keywords: riji, 日记, diary in Chinese, Chinese journal, writing a diary in Chinese, how to say diary in Chinese, keep a journal, xiě rìjì, Chinese diary entry, HSK 3
• Summary: Learn how to say “diary” or “journal” in Chinese with the word 日记 (rìjì). This guide breaks down the characters, explains its cultural significance in China (from scholarly tradition to modern school assignments), and provides 10 practical example sentences. Discover the key difference between a personal 日记 (rìjì) and a professional log, 日志 (rìzhì), a common point of confusion for learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): rìjì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A daily record of events, thoughts, or feelings.
• In a Nutshell: 日记 (rìjì) is the direct Chinese equivalent of the English words “diary” or “journal.” It refers to a personal, private book or space where you write about your life, day by day.

• 日 (rì): This character is a pictogram of the sun. Its primary meanings are “sun,” “day,” or “date.” It's one of the first characters learners encounter.
• 记 (jì): This character means “to record,” “to remember,” or “a note.” It's composed of the “speech” radical 讠(yán) on the left and a phonetic component 己 (jǐ) on the right. You can think of it as “using speech/words to record something.”
• Together, 日 (rì) + 记 (jì) literally means “day record,” a perfect and logical construction for the word “diary.”

In Chinese culture, keeping a diary has long been associated with scholars, officials, and intellectuals as a form of self-reflection, intellectual practice, and historical record-keeping. Famous historical figures like Lu Xun used the diary format not just for personal reflection but also for powerful social commentary (e.g., his famous story “Diary of a Madman,” 狂人日记). While in Western culture a diary is often seen as a highly private, emotional outlet (“Dear Diary…”), in China, there's also a strong pedagogical aspect. It's extremely common for primary and middle school students to be assigned the task of 写日记 (xiě rìjì - writing a diary) as homework. This serves a dual purpose: it encourages personal reflection while also being a practical tool for improving writing skills, practicing grammar, and using new vocabulary. Therefore, for many Chinese people, the concept of a 日记 is tied to memories of education and the disciplined practice of writing.

The term 日记 (rìjì) is used in everyday language just like “diary” or “journal” in English. It's a common topic when discussing hobbies, habits, or school life.

• The Act of Writing: The most common way to say “to write/keep a diary” is 写日记 (xiě rìjì). You may also hear 记日记 (jì rìjì), which also means “to keep a diary,” with 记 emphasizing the “recording” aspect.
• A Single Entry: When referring to one diary entry, the measure word is 篇 (piān). For example, “一篇日记 (yī piān rìjì)” means “one diary entry.”
• The Physical Book: The physical diary or journal notebook is called a 日记本 (rìjìběn).
• Formality: The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• Example 1:
  • 我妹妹有写日记的习惯。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ mèimei yǒu xiě rìjì de xíguàn.
  • English: My little sister has the habit of writing in a diary.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the common phrase 写日记 (xiě rìjì) to describe a routine or habit (习惯, xíguàn).
• Example 2:
  • 这是我的日记，你不能看！
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ de rìjì, nǐ bùnéng kàn!
  • English: This is my diary, you can't look!
  • Analysis: A simple, direct sentence emphasizing the private nature of a 日记.
• Example 3:
  • 老师让我们每周交一篇日记。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen měi zhōu jiāo yī piān rìjì.
  • English: The teacher makes us hand in one diary entry every week.
  • Analysis: This shows the use of the measure word 篇 (piān) for a single entry and highlights the common context of diaries as school assignments.
• Example 4:
  • 我在旧书架上找到了我小学的日记本。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài jiù shūjià shàng zhǎodàole wǒ xiǎoxué de rìjìběn.
  • English: I found my elementary school diary on the old bookshelf.
  • Analysis: This uses 日记本 (rìjìběn) to refer to the physical journal itself.
• Example 5:
  • 她在日记里记录了旅行中的点点滴滴。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài rìjì lǐ jìlùle lǚxíng zhōng de diǎndiǎndīdī.
  • English: She recorded all the little details of her trip in her diary.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows 日记 as a place or container (“in the diary”) for memories (记录, jìlù). 点点滴滴 (diǎndiǎndīdī) is a lovely idiom for “bits and pieces” or “details.”
• Example 6:
  • 读别人的日记是不对的。
  • Pinyin: Dú biérén de rìjì shì bùduì de.
  • English: It's wrong to read other people's diaries.
  • Analysis: A simple sentence expressing a common social norm. 读 (dú) means “to read.”
• Example 7:
  • 我喜欢用手机应用来记日记。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān yòng shǒujī yìngyòng lái jì rìjì.
  • English: I like to use a mobile app to keep my diary.
  • Analysis: This example shows the alternative verb 记 (jì) and places the concept in a modern, technological context.
• Example 8:
  • 你读过《安妮日记》吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dúguò “Ānnī Rìjì” ma?
  • English: Have you read “The Diary of Anne Frank”?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how 日记 is used in the titles of famous published works.
• Example 9:
  • 把你的感受写进日记里，可能会感觉好一点。
  • Pinyin: Bǎ nǐ de gǎnshòu xiě jìn rìjì lǐ, kěnéng huì gǎnjué hǎo yīdiǎn.
  • English: If you write your feelings down in your diary, you might feel a bit better.
  • Analysis: This highlights the therapeutic and emotional function of keeping a diary. The 把 (bǎ) structure is used to show what is being written into the diary.
• Example 10:
  • 这本日记是我最珍贵的财产。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn rìjì shì wǒ zuì zhēnguì de cáichǎn.
  • English: This diary is my most treasured possession.
  • Analysis: Note the measure word for the physical book is 本 (běn). This sentence emphasizes the personal value of a diary.

• 日记 (rìjì) vs. 日志 (rìzhì): This is the most critical distinction and a common mistake for learners.
  • 日记 (rìjì): Personal, private, often about feelings, thoughts, and personal experiences. This is your “diary.”
  • 日志 (rìzhì): A log, a record of operations. It's objective and factual, used in professional or technical contexts. Examples include a 工作日志 (gōngzuò rìzhì - work log), 航海日志 (hánghǎi rìzhì - ship's log), or a system log on a computer.
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying “I need to write my work diary” as 我要写我的工作日记 (wǒ yào xiě wǒ de gōngzuò rìjì). This sounds like you're writing about your feelings at work, not your tasks.
  • Correct Usage: 我要写我的工作日志 (wǒ yào xiě wǒ de gōngzuò rìzhì).
• Measure Words: Remember to use the correct measure word. Use 篇 (piān) for a single entry and 本 (běn) for the physical book. Avoid using the generic measure word 个 (gè).
  • Incorrect: ~~一个日记~~ (yī gè rìjì)
  • Correct: 一篇日记 (yī piān rìjì - one entry) or 一本日记 (yī běn rìjì - one diary book).

• 日志 (rìzhì) - A log or a professional/technical journal. The most important contrasting term.
• 周记 (zhōujì) - A weekly journal. Like a diary, but written once a week. Also a common school assignment.
• 写 (xiě) - To write. The verb most frequently paired with 日记.
• 记录 (jìlù) - To record; a record. A more formal verb that describes the function of a diary.
• 日记本 (rìjìběn) - The physical diary/notebook.
• 随笔 (suíbǐ) - Casual essay, informal notes. Less structured than a diary, focusing on a single topic or thought rather than a daily account.
• 博客 (bókè) - Blog. Can be seen as a modern, public form of a diary.
• 回忆录 (huíyìlù) - Memoir. A collection of memories written later in life, distinct from a contemporaneous daily record.
• 手帐 (shǒuzhàng) - From Japanese, this means “planner” or “organizer,” but often used for a creative journal that includes drawings, stickers, and plans, not just text.