일기
ilgi[iɭɡi]
The English word 'diary' is 일기 (ilgi) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 일기장 (ilgijang).
Meaning: daily log of experiences (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 일기 | ilgi | [iɭɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 일기장 | ilgijang | [iɭɡit͡ɕ͈a̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 일기 is used to refer to the daily log of one's experiences. To say 'to write a diary', you use the phrase 일기를 쓰다, where 쓰다 means 'to write'. You can also talk about habits, such as 일기를 쓰는 습관이 있다, which means 'to have a habit of writing a diary'. To express possession, you can use 나의 일기 for 'my diary' or 너의 일기 for 'your diary'.
Which one should you use?
While 일기 refers to the written entries or the content of the diary itself, 일기장 refers to the physical notebook or book used for writing a diary.
How do you pronounce it?
ilgi
Did you know?
- The word 일기 is a homonym. Depending on the context, it can refer to a 'diary' or to the 'weather' and 'atmospheric conditions'.
- In Korean culture, the act of writing a 일기 is often emphasized as a tool for self-reflection and character building during childhood, rather than just a hobby.
- The verb used with 'diary', 쓰다, also means 'to use' or 'to be bitter', showing how one verb can take on vastly different meanings depending on the noun it accompanies.
Examples in context
- 나는 여행 중에 보통 일기를 쓴다.I usually keep a diary when I travel.This sentence shows how to express the habit of keeping a diary while traveling using 일기.Tatoeba #11106007 by intertime, translation #255509 by CK
- 나는 학생일 때 영어로 일기를 쓰곤 했다.I used to keep a diary in English when I was a student.This sentence describes a past habit of writing a diary in English using 일기.Tatoeba #7965208 by EstasKorea, translation #33507 by CK
- 나는 학교에서 일기장을 사용해 일기를 남긴다.I use a diary to write entries at school.
- 오늘은 일기를 써야겠어.I need to write my diary today.
- 그녀는 매일 밤 일기를 쓴다.geunyeoneun mae-il bam ilgireul sseunda.She writes a diary every night.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are talking about their hobbies.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨는 취미가 뭐예요?Hyeonu ssineun chwimiga mwoyeyo?Hyunwoo, what is your hobby?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 밤마다 일기를 써요.Jeoneun bammada ilgireul sseoyo.I write a diary every night.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 부지런하시네요!Jeongmal bujireonhasineyo!You are really diligent!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo생각을 정리하는 데 도움이 돼요.Saenggageul jeongrihaneun de doumi dwaeyo.It helps me organize my thoughts.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diary” translations and entries 일기, 일기장, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
