메모
memo[me̞mo̞]
The English phrase 'notes' can be translated into Korean as 메모 (memo).
메모 refers to short records of information written down to help a person remember something.
Which one should you use?
쪽지 is used specifically to refer to a small note, such as a scrap of paper used to pass messages.
How do you pronounce it?
memo
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, a 'note' as in a musical note is called 음표, which is entirely unrelated to 메모 or 쪽지.
- When someone is taking notes during a lecture or meeting, they are said to be 메모를 하다, which literally means 'to do a memo'.
- The word 메모 is a loanword from the English 'memo', but it is used much more broadly in Korean to cover everything from a quick grocery list to detailed study notes.
Examples in context
- 수업 도중 노트를 작성하는 것이 중요합니다.Taking notes during class is important.
- 오늘 수업 내용 메모해야 해.I need to jot down today's class notes.
- 중요한 내용을 메모했어요.jung-yo-han nae-yong-eul me-mo-hae-sseo-yo.I made notes on the important content.
- 여기에 메모를 남겨주세요.yeo-gi-e me-mo-reul nam-gyeo-ju-se-yo.Please leave a note here.
- 잊지 않게 메모를 했어요.it-ji an-ge me-mo-reul hae-sseo-yo.I made a note so I wouldn't forget.
Example conversation
At a cafe, a colleague asks for a message to be left.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 부탁할 말이 있어요.Do-hyeon ssi, bu-tak-hal mal-i it-eo-yo.Dohyun, I have a favor to ask.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 서연 씨. 말씀하세요.Ne, Seo-yeon ssi. mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.Yes, Seoyeon. Please tell me.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이 내용을 메모로 남겨줄 수 있어요?i nae-yong-eul me-mo-ro nam-gyeo-jul su it-eo-yo?Can you leave this as a note?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 바로 적어 놓을게요.ne, ba-ro jeok-eo no-eul-ge-yo.Yes, I will write it down right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 메모, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 메모, CC BY-SA 4.0.
