書いて
kaite
To write it down in Japanese is 書いて (kaite).
This phrase is used to instruct someone to record information on paper using a pen or pencil. In Japanese, the object it is often omitted when it is clear from the context that you are referring to specific information.
Which one should you use?
While 書いて functions as a casual way to say 'write it down', you can also use メモして to mean 'take a note' or 'jot it down'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
書いて is an informal way to say 'write it down'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the te-form is used to issue a casual command or to connect to other verbs.
How do you pronounce it?
kaite
Did you know?
- Japanese has a unique term 書き留める (kakitomeru) which means to 'fix' or 'fasten' a thought onto paper. The word contains the root 留める (tomeru) meaning 'to stop' or 'to stay', framing the act of writing as a way to stop information from escaping the mind.
- Historically, writing in Japan was so specialized that the act of 'writing it down' often involved choosing between three different scripts: kanji, hiragana and katakana. Depending on what you are writing, you might change your handwriting style mid-sentence to signal a change in the grammatical function of the words.
- While 'kaite' is used for writing with a pen, if you are asking someone to record something on a computer or smartphone, you would more likely use the word 入力して (nyuuryoku shite), which literally means 'to input'.
Examples in context
- ここに書いて下さい。Write it down here, please.This sentence is useful for asking someone to write something down in a specific location using 書いて.Tatoeba #224406 by bunbuku, translation #61741 by CK
- 書いてくださいますか。Could you write it down, please?This sentence is useful for making a polite request to write something down using 書いて.Tatoeba #147431 by bunbuku, translation #267129 by CK
- この住所を書いてください。Please write down this address.
- 次の日付を書いて。Write down the next date.
- 電話番号をメモして。Take a note of the telephone number.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are discussing a grocery list at home.
- 蓮 Ren牛乳が必要だよ。Gyuunyuu ga hitsuyou da yo.We need milk.
- 美咲 Misaki忘れないように、メモに書いて。Wasurenai you ni, memo ni kaite.Write it down in your notes so you don't forget.
- 蓮 Renわかった、今書くね。Wakatta, ima kaku ne.Okay, I'll write it now.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、助かるよ。Arigatou, tasukaru yo.Thank you, that helps.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
