てちょう en 30 secondes
- A portable planner or pocket notebook used for scheduling and organizing daily life.
- Highly valued in Japanese culture as a sign of diligence and personal responsibility.
- Differs from a 'no-to' (large notebook) by its size and specific focus on calendars.
- Also refers to official booklets like medication records or disability certificates.
The Japanese word てちょう (手帳 - techou) specifically refers to a pocket-sized notebook, planner, or personal organizer. While the English word 'notebook' is broad, techou occupies a unique cultural space in Japan. It is not just a place to scribble notes; it is a life management tool that many Japanese people carry at all times. The word is composed of the kanji for 'hand' (手) and 'ledger' or 'notebook' (帳), literalizing the concept of a book kept close at hand. In a modern context, even with the ubiquity of smartphones, the physical techou remains a symbol of professional readiness and personal mindfulness. For many, the act of writing by hand in a techou is seen as more reliable and thoughtful than digital scheduling.
- Daily Planner
- This is the most common usage. It refers to a book with a calendar and space for daily entries, used to manage appointments, to-do lists, and personal thoughts.
新しいてちょうを買いました。 (I bought a new planner.)
Beyond simple scheduling, techou can refer to official documents issued by the government. For example, a 'Physical Disability Certificate' is called a shintai shougai-sha techou. This highlights that the word carries a weight of 'official record' or 'personal identity document' in certain contexts. However, in daily conversation, 99% of the time, it refers to the personal organizer sitting in one's bag or pocket. The culture of 'Techo-jutsu' (planner techniques) is a massive industry in Japan, with books and seminars dedicated to how to color-code, sticker, and organize one's life within these small pages. This reflects the Japanese value of precision and the aesthetic appreciation for physical stationery.
- Official Ledger
- Used in government or medical contexts to denote a booklet that tracks specific information, such as health records or certifications.
母子てちょうをなくさないでください。 (Please do not lose the Maternal and Child Health Handbook.)
The size is a crucial factor. Unlike a 'ノート' (no-to), which is usually A4 or B5 size for schoolwork or long-form writing, a techou is designed to be portable. It fits in a suit pocket or a small purse. This portability ensures that a person can record a sudden appointment or a fleeting inspiration immediately. In the business world, pulling out a techou during a meeting to note down a deadline is viewed as a sign of diligence and respect for the speaker's time. It demonstrates that the listener is taking the information seriously and committing it to their personal record. Even among younger generations who use Google Calendar, many still maintain a physical techou for creative journaling or as a 'life log' to track habits and memories.
- Pocketability
- The physical constraint of the 'hand' (手) size is what distinguishes it from larger notebooks used for general study or drafting.
ポケットにてちょうが入っています。 (The planner is in the pocket.)
Using てちょう in a sentence is straightforward because it functions as a standard noun. However, the verbs associated with it define the action. The most common verb is kaku (to write) or kakikomu (to fill in/write into). When you want to say you are 'keeping' a planner or using it consistently, the verb tsukeru (to keep/record) is often used, similar to how one 'keeps' a diary (nikki o tsukeru). Because it is a physical object, you will also frequently use verbs of movement like motsu (to hold/carry) or dasu (to take out).
- Action: Writing
- Focuses on the act of recording a specific piece of information like a date or a phone number.
予定をてちょうに書きました。 (I wrote the schedule in my planner.)
When discussing ownership or the state of having a planner on your person, the particle o is used for the object. If you are referring to the location where information is stored, use the particle ni. For instance, 'Look in the planner' would be techou o miru, but 'It is written in the planner' is techou ni kaite aru. In business settings, you might hear the humble or polite forms of these sentences. A colleague might ask, 'Could you check your planner?' using techou o go-kakunin itadakemasu ka?. This elevates the noun into a professional register.
- Action: Carrying
- Emphasizes that the planner is a constant companion, part of one's daily essentials (EDC).
いつもてちょうを持ち歩いています。 (I always carry my planner with me.)
Another nuance involves the 'type' of techou. You can modify the noun with other nouns to specify its purpose. A sukeju-ru techou (schedule book) is the most common. A memo-techou is for quick notes. A shiteki-techou might be a private, more diary-like book. When you use these compound nouns, the grammatical rules remain the same, but the context becomes more specific. For example, 'I lost my work planner' would be shigoto no techou o nakushimashita. Note that in Japanese, the possessive no is vital here to link the purpose to the object.
- Action: Checking
- Used when verifying availability or looking up past events.
ちょっとてちょうを確認しますね。 (Let me just check my planner, okay?)
You will encounter the word てちょう in various social strata in Japan. In a professional office environment, it is ubiquitous. During the morning meeting (chousai), you will see employees flipping through their techou to align their goals for the day. If you are a student, you might hear teachers telling you to write your homework deadlines in your renraku-techou (communication notebook), which is a specific type used for messages between school and home. This ingrained habit starts from a young age, teaching children the value of organization and scheduled living.
- The Office
- Colleagues discussing meeting times or project timelines will almost always reference their 'techou'.
会議の予定をてちょうに入れておいて。 (Put the meeting schedule in your planner.)
Stationery stores like Loft, Tokyu Hands, or Itoya are the 'shrines' of techou. From September to January, huge sections of these stores are dedicated to 'Techou Fairs'. You will hear customers debating the merits of 'vertical layouts' vs. 'monthly blocks'. Salesclerks will use the word constantly when explaining features: 'This techou uses high-quality Tomoe River paper,' or 'This techou has a leather cover.' In these contexts, the word represents a lifestyle choice and a significant annual purchase. It is not just a book; it is a companion for the next 365 days.
- Stationery Stores
- The word is used to describe different formats, paper types, and binding styles of organizers.
どのサイズのてちょうが使いやすいですか？ (Which size of planner is easy to use?)
In a medical context, you will hear the word okusuri-techou (medication notebook). Pharmacists in Japan will always ask, 'Do you have your okusuri-techou?' This is a small booklet where they stick labels of the medicines you’ve been prescribed. It prevents drug interactions and serves as a vital record for doctors. Similarly, a bousai-techou (disaster prevention notebook) is something many households keep, containing emergency contacts and evacuation maps. In these instances, techou shifts from a personal diary to a life-saving record. Whether it's for business, health, or safety, the word implies a portable, essential record that one should never be without.
- Medical Settings
- Refers to the 'Medication Notebook' used to track prescriptions and health history.
お薬てちょうはお持ちですか？ (Do you have your medication notebook?)
The most common mistake for English speakers is using てちょう when they actually mean a general notebook for school or long-form writing. In English, we might call both a 'notebook,' but in Japanese, a school notebook is no-to (ノート). If you tell a teacher 'I wrote my essay in my techou,' they will be confused because an essay wouldn't fit in a pocket planner. Use no-to for study and techou for scheduling or quick, portable notes. Think of techou as a 'Personal Organizer' and no-to as a 'Notebook for Writing.'
- Techou vs. No-to
- Techou = Planner/Pocket book. No-to = Academic/Large notebook.
❌ 授業の内容をてちょうに書きます。
✅ 授業の内容をノートに書きます。
Another frequent error is confusing techou with nikki (diary). While many people use their techou to write daily reflections, a nikki is a book specifically designed for long-form journaling about one's feelings and daily events, often kept at home. A techou is proactive (scheduling future events), whereas a nikki is reactive (recording past events). If you tell someone you are 'writing your techou' at night, they might assume you are just checking tomorrow's schedule, not pouring your heart out on the page.
- Techou vs. Nikki
- Techou is for planning and quick logs. Nikki is for sentimental or detailed journaling.
❌ 毎晩てちょうを書いて寝ます。
✅ 毎晩日記を書いて寝ます。
Finally, learners sometimes forget that techou can be an official ID. Referring to a passport as a techou is incorrect (it's pasupoto or ryoken). However, a police officer's badge/ID is called a keisatsu-techou. This is a very specific formal use. For beginners, the safest bet is to use techou only for personal planners. Also, be careful with the pronunciation; it's a long 'o' at the end (te-cho-u). Shortening it to 'techo' might make it sound like you're saying something else entirely in fast speech.
- Pronunciation Pitfall
- Ensure the 'u' at the end is extended. Te-cho-o.
警察てちょうを見せてください。 (Please show me your police ID.)
While てちょう is the standard term for a planner, several other words overlap in meaning or offer specific nuances. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common synonym in a modern business context is sukeju-ru-chou (スケジュール帳), which literally means 'schedule book'. This is used interchangeably with techou when the focus is purely on appointments and time management.
- スケジュール帳 (Schedule-chou)
- Focuses specifically on the calendar and appointment-keeping aspect of a planner.
新しいスケジュール帳はどこですか？ (Where is the new schedule book?)
Another related word is memo-chou (メモ帳). While a techou has a structure (dates, calendars, specific sections), a memo-chou is just a pad of paper for quick notes that might be torn out later. You use a memo-chou for a shopping list, but a techou for your long-term plans. Then there is the shiteki-techou (private notebook) or zatsuki-chou (miscellaneous notebook). These are for more informal, unstructured thoughts but still maintain the small, portable format of a techou.
- メモ帳 (Memo-chou)
- A scratchpad or memo pad. Usually smaller and less organized than a planner.
電話番号をメモ帳に書きました。 (I wrote the phone number on a memo pad.)
In a digital age, you might also hear denshi-techou (electronic organizer). This was very popular in the 90s and early 2000s before smartphones. Today, people might refer to their calendar apps as a 'digital techou' in a metaphorical sense, though they usually just say 'apuri' (app) or 'karenda-' (calendar). Finally, compare techou with jinji-techou (personnel records) or kaikei-chou (accounting ledger) in business. These use the chou suffix to denote a formal record-keeping book, though they are much larger and more formal than a personal pocket planner.
- 電子手帳 (Denshi-techou)
- Electronic organizer. A predecessor to the smartphone, still sometimes used for dedicated devices.
昔は電子てちょうを使っていました。 (I used to use an electronic organizer.)
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
In the Edo period, 'chou' were long, vertical ledgers. The 'techou' evolved as a miniaturized version for merchants and travelers to carry easily.
Guide de prononciation
- Shortening it to 'techo' (sounds like 'roof' or something else).
- Pronouncing 'chou' like 'chow' (rhymes with cow).
- Adding an 'r' sound (tech-or).
- Misplacing the pitch accent, making it sound like 'techo' (flat is better).
- Confusing it with 'techo' (Spanish for roof).
Niveau de difficulté
The kanji 手 (hand) is very easy, but 帳 is slightly more complex for beginners. Hiragana is simple.
Writing the kanji 帳 requires attention to the 'cloth' radical on the left.
Very easy to pronounce as long as the final 'u' is extended.
Distinctive sound, unlikely to be confused with other common words.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Particle 'Ni' for Location of Writing
手帳にメモする (Make a note in the planner).
Particle 'O' for Direct Object
手帳を買う (Buy a planner).
Particle 'No' for Possession/Category
私の手帳 (My planner), 仕事の手帳 (Work planner).
Te-form for Sequential Action
手帳を見て、予定を確認する (Look at the planner and check the schedule).
Counter '~satsu' for Books
手帳を二冊持っています (I have two planners).
Exemples par niveau
これは私のてちょうです。
This is my planner.
Uses 'desu' for a simple identification of the object.
てちょうに名前を書きます。
I will write my name in the planner.
The particle 'ni' indicates the location of the writing.
新しいてちょうを買いました。
I bought a new planner.
Past tense of the verb 'kau' (to buy).
てちょうはかばんの中にあります。
The planner is in the bag.
Uses 'ni arimasu' for the location of an inanimate object.
毎日てちょうを見ます。
I look at my planner every day.
Uses 'mainichi' (every day) with the present habitual tense.
てちょうとペンをください。
Please give me a planner and a pen.
Uses 'to' to join two nouns and 'kudasai' for a request.
そのてちょうはいくらですか？
How much is that planner?
Standard 'ikura desu ka' question for price.
てちょうに予定を書きました。
I wrote the schedule in the planner.
Uses 'yotei' (schedule) as the object.
予定を忘れないように、てちょうにメモします。
I make notes in my planner so I don't forget my schedule.
Uses '~nai you ni' to express purpose.
誕生日の予定をてちょうに入れました。
I put my birthday plans into my planner.
Uses 'ni ireru' (to put in/enter) for scheduling.
仕事のてちょうを家に忘れました。
I forgot my work planner at home.
The 'no' particle links the purpose (work) to the object.
このてちょうは小さくて便利です。
This planner is small and convenient.
Uses the '-te' form of 'chiisai' to connect adjectives.
てちょうに友達の住所が書いてあります。
My friend's address is written in my planner.
Uses '~te aru' to describe a state resulting from an action.
去年のてちょうをまだ持っていますか？
Do you still have last year's planner?
Uses 'kyonen no' to specify the time period.
てちょうを確認してから返事します。
I will reply after checking my planner.
Uses '~te kara' for sequential actions.
一冊のてちょうを一年間使います。
I use one planner for a full year.
Uses counter 'issatsu' for books.
お薬てちょうを持って病院へ行きました。
I went to the hospital with my medication notebook.
Specific term 'okusuri-techou' for medical use.
彼はいつもてちょうを肌身離さず持っている。
He always keeps his planner on him at all times.
Idiomatic expression 'hadami hanasazu' (never leaving one's side).
スマホよりもてちょうに書くほうが覚えやすい。
It's easier to remember if I write it in a planner than on a smartphone.
Comparative structure '~yori ~hou ga'.
てちょうのレイアウトにはこだわりがあります。
I am particular about the layout of my planner.
Uses 'kodawari' to express a strong preference or pickiness.
連絡てちょうを通じて先生とやり取りする。
Communicate with the teacher through the communication notebook.
Uses 'tsuujite' (through/via) for the medium of communication.
てちょうが真っ黒になるほど予定が入っている。
My planner is so full of plans it's practically black (covered in ink).
Metaphorical use of 'makkuro' (pitch black) for a busy schedule.
自分に合ったてちょうを選ぶのは楽しいです。
Choosing a planner that suits you is fun.
Relative clause 'jibun ni atta' modifying 'techou'.
てちょうを紛失してしまい、とても困っています。
I lost my planner and I'm in big trouble.
Formal verb 'funshitsu suru' (to lose) and '~te shimau' for regret.
手帳を活用することで、タスク管理がスムーズになります。
By utilizing a planner, task management becomes smoother.
Formal noun 'katsuyou' (utilization) + 'koto de'.
彼女の手帳は、日記やイラストで美しく彩られている。
Her planner is beautifully decorated with diary entries and illustrations.
Passive voice 'irodorarete iru' (is colored/adorned).
最近では、デジタルとアナログの手帳を併用する人が増えている。
Recently, the number of people using both digital and analog planners is increasing.
Uses 'heiyou' (using together/in combination).
手帳の余白に、ふと思いついたアイデアを書き留める。
I jot down ideas that suddenly come to mind in the margins of my planner.
Uses 'yohaku' (margin/white space) and 'kakitomeru' (to jot down).
ビジネスマンにとって、手帳は自己管理の必須アイテムだ。
For business people, a planner is an essential item for self-management.
Uses 'nittote' (for/from the perspective of).
手帳の厚みは、その人の一年間の努力の跡だと言える。
One could say the thickness of a planner is a trace of a person's efforts over the year.
Uses 'to ieru' (it can be said that).
身体障害者手帳の交付手続きについて教えてください。
Please tell me about the procedure for issuing a physical disability certificate.
Official use of 'techou' in a legal/medical context.
手帳に挟んでおいたレシートがどこかへ行ってしまった。
The receipt I had tucked into my planner has gone missing.
Uses 'hasande oku' (to put between/tuck in advance).
手帳は単なる道具ではなく、人生のパートナーとも言える存在だ。
A planner is not merely a tool, but an existence that could be called a life partner.
Uses 'tannaru' (mere) and 'tomo ieru sonzai' (an existence that could be called...).
情報のデジタル化が進む中で、あえて手帳を選ぶ心理的背景を考察する。
I will consider the psychological background of choosing a planner despite the digitalization of information.
Uses 'aete' (daringly/purposely) and 'kousatsu suru' (to consider/analyze).
手帳に記された何気ない一言が、数年後に大きな意味を持つことがある。
A casual remark written in a planner can hold great meaning years later.
Uses 'shirusareta' (recorded/inscribed) and 'nanigenai' (casual/nonchalant).
手帳の形式は、その時代の社会構造や労働形態を反映している。
The format of planners reflects the social structures and work patterns of the era.
Uses 'han'ei shite iru' (is reflecting).
毎年、手帳を新調する儀式は、気持ちをリセットするための大切な時間だ。
The ritual of getting a new planner every year is an important time for resetting one's mindset.
Uses 'shinchou suru' (to purchase anew/get a new one).
手帳術の極意は、いかに余白を恐れずに使いこなすかにある。
The secret of planner techniques lies in how to master it without fearing the white space.
Uses 'gokui' (the secret/essence) and 'ika ni' (how).
母子手帳は、子供の成長記録として一生の宝物になる。
The Maternal and Child Health Handbook becomes a lifelong treasure as a record of a child's growth.
Uses 'isshou no takaramono' (lifelong treasure).
手帳の書き方は、その人の思考のプロセスを如実に物語っている。
The way someone writes in their planner vividly tells the story of their thought process.
Uses 'nyojitsu ni' (vividly/realistically) and 'monogatatte iru' (is telling/narrating).
手帳というミクロな空間に、個人のマクロな宇宙が凝縮されている。
In the micro-space of a planner, an individual's macro-universe is condensed.
Contrast between 'mikuro' and 'makuro', uses 'gyoushuku' (condensation).
アナログ手帳の回帰現象は、デジタル疲れに対する一種の防衛本能かもしれない。
The phenomenon of returning to analog planners might be a kind of defense instinct against digital fatigue.
Uses 'kaiki genshou' (return phenomenon) and 'bouei honnou' (defense instinct).
手帳を紐解けば、当時の葛藤や歓喜が鮮明に蘇ってくる。
If you leaf through an old planner, the conflicts and joys of that time come vividly back to life.
Uses 'himotokeba' (if you leaf through/unravel) and 'yomigaeru' (to be resurrected/recalled).
手帳の機能美を追求した結果、究極のミニマリズムへと辿り着いた。
As a result of pursuing the functional beauty of the planner, I arrived at the ultimate minimalism.
Uses 'kinoubi' (functional beauty) and 'tadoritsuita' (arrived at after effort).
手帳に書き留めるという行為は、流動的な時間を固定する試みである。
The act of jotting things down in a planner is an attempt to fix fluid time.
Uses 'ryuudouteki' (fluid/liquid) and 'kokutei suru' (to fix/solidify).
手帳の変遷を辿ることは、近代日本のサラリーマン文化を紐解くことに他ならない。
Tracing the transition of the planner is nothing less than unravelling the salaryman culture of modern Japan.
Uses 'ni hoka naranai' (is nothing but/nothing less than).
手帳に記された筆跡の乱れから、当時の切迫した状況が読み取れる。
From the messy handwriting in the planner, one can read the urgent situation of that time.
Uses 'hisseki' (handwriting) and 'seppaku shita' (urgent/pressing).
手帳という媒体を通じて、我々は自己との対話を繰り返しているのだ。
Through the medium of the planner, we are repeating a dialogue with ourselves.
Uses 'baitai' (medium) and 'taiva' (dialogue).
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— A medication notebook used in Japan to track prescriptions and avoid drug interactions.
薬局でお薬手帳を出してください。
— Maternal and Child Health Handbook given to pregnant women to record health data.
母子手帳は大切に保管してください。
— A communication notebook used between teachers and parents in schools/daycares.
連絡手帳に欠席の理由を書く。
— A police officer's identification booklet or badge holder.
警察官が警察手帳を提示した。
— A certificate issued to people with physical disabilities to access social services.
窓口で身体障害者手帳を見せる。
— A student handbook that often includes school rules and a personal ID page.
学生手帳を身分証明書として使う。
— A personal or group meeting to decide which planner to use for the next year.
一人で手帳会議を開いて、来年の手帳を決めた。
— Techniques or methods for effectively using and decorating a planner.
手帳術の本を読んで効率を上げる。
— A protective and often decorative cover for a planner.
革の手帳カバーをオーダーメイドした。
— Refill pages for a system techou (ring binder).
新しいリフィルを手帳にセットする。
Souvent confondu avec
A regular notebook for school or long notes. Too large to be a techou.
A diary for past reflections. A techou is primarily for future planning.
A simple scratchpad. Lacks the calendar structure of a techou.
Expressions idiomatiques
— To have a very busy schedule, so full that the pages are 'black' with writing.
今月は手帳が真っ黒で休みがない。
Informal— Not in the plans; unexpected. (Literal: 'Not in the planner').
こんなトラブルは僕の手帳にはなかったよ。
Casual/Metaphorical— To write something in a planner (often used humbly to mean 'I will make a note').
忘れないように手帳を汚しておきます。
Old-fashioned/Humble— To remember something deeply, as if carving it into a record.
その教訓を手帳に刻み込んだ。
Literary— Something that is just 'filling' the planner but not being used or useful.
買っただけのシールが手帳の肥やしになっている。
Casual— To finish a task or end the day's planning; sometimes used for retirement.
仕事を終えて、静かに手帳を閉じた。
Nuanced— To have an empty schedule; having no plans.
休みの日なのに手帳が真っ白だ。
Informal— In a small corner of the planner; keeping a small, secondary note.
手帳の片隅に夢を書いておいた。
Poetic— To bring planners together to coordinate schedules.
みんなで手帳を持ち寄って旅行の計画を立てる。
Neutral— Managing everything with just one planner; a symbol of simplicity.
彼は手帳一冊で全財産を管理している。
NeutralFacile à confondre
Both share the 'chou' kanji.
Choubo is a formal accounting ledger used by businesses, not a personal pocket book.
会計士が帳簿をチェックする。
Both are small leather items carried by business people.
Meishi-ire is for business cards, techou is for schedules.
名刺入れを忘れずに持って行く。
Both are stationery items.
Fudebako is a pencil case; techou is the book itself.
筆箱の中に消しゴムがある。
Both track dates.
Karenda- usually refers to a wall or desk calendar, while techou is portable.
壁のカレンダーに印をつける。
Techous often contain address sections.
Juushoroku is specifically an address book, whereas a techou is primarily a planner.
古い住所録を整理する。
Structures de phrases
[Object] は [Location] にあります。
てちょうは机の上にあります。
[Object] を [Verb]ます。
てちょうを買います。
[Noun] を [Noun] に書きます。
予定をてちょうに書きます。
[Verb-te] から [Verb]。
てちょうを見てから答えます。
[Noun] のために [Noun] を使います。
忘れないためにてちょうを使います。
[Noun] よりも [Noun] のほうが [Adjective]。
スマホよりもてちょうのほうが便利です。
[Noun] を活用して、[Goal]。
手帳を活用して、夢を叶えます。
[Noun] に [Verb-te] あります。
手帳に予定が書いてあります。
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Extremely high in daily life and business.
-
Using 'techou' for a school notebook.
→
ノート (No-to)
A techou is specifically a small planner. A school notebook is a 'no-to'. Writing an essay in a 'techou' is physically impossible!
-
Pronouncing it 'te-cho' (short).
→
てちょう (Te-cho-u)
The long 'o' is crucial. Shortening it might change the meaning or make it harder for native speakers to understand you.
-
Calling a passport a 'techou'.
→
パスポート (Pasupo-to) or 旅券 (Ryoken)
While 'techou' can be an official booklet, a passport has its own specific names. Don't over-apply the 'official booklet' meaning.
-
Confusing 'techou' with 'nikki' (diary).
→
日記 (Nikki)
A techou is for planning the future; a nikki is for recording the past. If you're writing about your feelings, it's usually a nikki.
-
Using 'techou ni kaku' when you mean 'write with a pen'.
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ペンで書く (Pen de kaku)
Don't confuse the location (ni) with the tool (de). You write *in* the techou *with* a pen.
Astuces
The April Start
Many Japanese planners start in April to align with the school and fiscal year. If you move to Japan in the spring, look for an 'April-start' techou.
Color Coding
Many Japanese users use four-color pens (black, blue, red, green) in their techou to categorize tasks (e.g., red for urgent, blue for personal).
Ni vs O
Remember: 'Techou o miru' (Look at the planner) but 'Techou ni kaku' (Write in the planner). The particle changes based on the action.
Compound Nouns
You can add almost any purpose before 'techou' to create a specific meaning, like 'shigoto-techou' (work planner) or 'yume-techou' (dream journal).
Showing Diligence
In a job interview or meeting, having a techou ready shows you are organized. It’s a subtle 'soft skill' signal in Japanese culture.
Sticker Culture
Japan has a huge market for 'techou stickers.' Using them can make learning the language and managing your time more fun.
Edo Ledgers
The kanji 'chou' (帳) comes from traditional ledgers. Understanding this helps you see why the word feels 'official' and 'reliable'.
The Hand Kanji
The 'Te' (手) in techou is the same as in 'tegami' (letter) and 'temiyage' (souvenir). It always implies something personal and portable.
Hybrid Usage
Many Japanese people use a phone for alerts but a techou for 'thinking' and 'planning.' This is called 'heiyou' (dual use).
A Great Gift
A high-quality techou or a leather techou cover makes an excellent and respected gift for a Japanese colleague or student.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine your **TE**n fingers holding a **CHOU** (show) of your schedule. 'TE-CHOU' is the 'show' in your 'hand'.
Association visuelle
Visualize a small, leather-bound book that fits perfectly in your palm, with a small pen tucked into the side.
Word Web
Défi
Try to say 'I will write it in my techou' (Techou ni kakimasu) five times fast without shortening the 'ou' sound.
Origine du mot
The word is a Sinitic compound (Kango) consisting of '手' (te/hand) and '帳' (chou/notebook, ledger, or screen). It has been used in Japan for centuries to describe portable records.
Sens originel : A small ledger or book that can be held in the hand or carried on the person.
Japanese (Sino-Japanese origin).Contexte culturel
Be aware that 'Shougai-sha Techou' (Disability Certificate) is a sensitive topic related to social welfare and identity.
In English, we often use 'planner' or 'organizer'. 'Notebook' is more common but less specific than 'techou'.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
At a Stationery Store
- 手帳はどこにありますか？
- おすすめの手帳を教えてください。
- 手帳のカバーを探しています。
- この手帳のレイアウトを見せてください。
In a Business Meeting
- 手帳を確認します。
- 次の予定を手帳に入れておきます。
- 手帳を忘れてしまいました。
- 手帳にメモしてもよろしいですか？
At the Pharmacy
- お薬手帳を持っています。
- お薬手帳を忘れました。
- 新しいお薬手帳をください。
- お薬手帳にシールを貼ってください。
At School
- 連絡手帳を出してください。
- 学生手帳をなくしました。
- 手帳に宿題を書きました。
- 先生にてちょうを渡します。
With Friends
- 手帳を見てから決めるね。
- その手帳、可愛いね！
- 手帳が予定でいっぱいだよ。
- 手帳に友達の誕生日を書いてる。
Amorces de conversation
"どんな手帳を使っていますか？ (What kind of planner are you using?)"
"手帳はアナログ派ですか、デジタル派ですか？ (Are you an analog or digital planner person?)"
"おすすめの手帳術はありますか？ (Do you have any recommended planner techniques?)"
"新しい手帳はいつ買いますか？ (When do you buy your new planner?)"
"手帳に何を書くのが一番多いですか？ (What do you write in your planner most often?)"
Sujets d'écriture
今日、手帳に書いた一番大切な予定は何ですか？ (What was the most important plan you wrote in your techou today?)
あなたが手帳を選ぶときに大切にしていることは何ですか？ (What do you value most when choosing a techou?)
手帳を使い始めてから、生活はどう変わりましたか？ (How has your life changed since you started using a techou?)
もし手帳をなくしてしまったら、どうしますか？ (What would you do if you lost your techou?)
将来の夢を手帳に書くとしたら、何と書きますか？ (If you were to write your future dream in your techou, what would you write?)
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsWhile it traditionally refers to paper, 'denshi-techou' refers to electronic organizers. However, the term 'techou' alone strongly implies a physical, analog book in modern Japan.
It allows different doctors and pharmacists to see all the medicines you are taking, preventing dangerous drug interactions. It is a vital safety tool in the Japanese medical system.
The peak season is from October to December. Most Japanese planners start in either January or April (the start of the Japanese school and fiscal year).
Size and purpose. A techou is small (pocket-sized) and has a calendar. A notebook (no-to) is larger (A4/B5) and used for study or long writing.
Metaphorically, yes, but usually people just say 'apuri' (app). If you say 'techou,' people will expect you to pull out a physical book.
No, it is actually considered professional and diligent. It shows you are taking notes and managing your time seriously.
It is a very famous brand of Japanese techou (Hobonichi Techo) known for its one-page-per-day layout and high-quality paper. It has a global cult following.
There are many designs targeted at different demographics, from sleek leather for businessmen to colorful, illustrated ones for students or hobbyists.
You use the counter 'satsu' (冊). One planner is 'issatsu,' two are 'nisatsu.'
It literally means 'the planner is pitch black,' but it's an idiom meaning your schedule is completely full of appointments.
Teste-toi 200 questions
Translate to Japanese: 'I bought a small planner.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'Please write your schedule in the planner.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'I always carry my planner with me.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'I forgot my medication notebook at home.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'Is there a planner that is easy to use?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'My planner is full of plans.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'Let me check my planner for a moment.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'I use a planner so I don't forget things.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'I found an old planner in the drawer.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'I am looking for a leather planner cover.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'techou' and 'kaku'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'techou' and 'motsu'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe your techou in one Japanese sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I need a new planner for next year.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'A planner is a good gift.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I write my homework in my planner.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Do you have a planner?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I like analog planners.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I put a sticker on my planner.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Check the date in the planner.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say in Japanese: 'This is my planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I will check my planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I bought a new planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'Is it in the planner?'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I carry my planner every day.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I write my schedule in the planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'Where is your planner?'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I forgot my planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I want a small planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'My planner is full.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I'll look at the planner later.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I like this planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I lost my planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'Please show me your planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I write with a pen in my planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'Do you have a medication notebook?'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'It's a very convenient planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I bought this planner at Loft.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'I write my dreams in my planner.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say in Japanese: 'My planner is in my bag.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and identify: 'てちょう' (Audio: techou)
Listen and identify: 'てちょうに予定を書く' (Audio: techou ni yotei o kaku)
Listen and identify: 'お薬てちょう' (Audio: okusuri techou)
Listen and identify: 'てちょうを忘れました' (Audio: techou o wasuremashita)
Listen and identify: '新しいてちょう' (Audio: atarashii techou)
Listen and identify: 'てちょうを確認します' (Audio: techou o kakunin shimasu)
Listen and identify: 'システムてちょう' (Audio: shisutemu techou)
Listen and identify: 'てちょうを持ち歩く' (Audio: techou o mochiaruku)
Listen and identify: 'てちょうをなくした' (Audio: techou o nakushita)
Listen and identify: 'てちょうのカバー' (Audio: techou no kaba-)
Listen and identify: '学生てちょう' (Audio: gakusei techou)
Listen and identify: 'てちょう術' (Audio: techou-jutsu)
Listen and identify: '連絡てちょう' (Audio: renraku techou)
Listen and identify: 'てちょうにメモする' (Audio: techou ni memo suru)
Listen and identify: '自分に合ったてちょう' (Audio: jibun ni atta techou)
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word <span class='font-bold italic'>techou</span> is more than just a notebook; it is a portable life-management tool. For Japanese speakers, it represents a commitment to organization and mindfulness. Example: <span class='italic'>Techou ni yotei o kaku</span> (To write a schedule in a planner) is a foundational habit for students and professionals alike.
- A portable planner or pocket notebook used for scheduling and organizing daily life.
- Highly valued in Japanese culture as a sign of diligence and personal responsibility.
- Differs from a 'no-to' (large notebook) by its size and specific focus on calendars.
- Also refers to official booklets like medication records or disability certificates.
The April Start
Many Japanese planners start in April to align with the school and fiscal year. If you move to Japan in the spring, look for an 'April-start' techou.
Color Coding
Many Japanese users use four-color pens (black, blue, red, green) in their techou to categorize tasks (e.g., red for urgent, blue for personal).
Ni vs O
Remember: 'Techou o miru' (Look at the planner) but 'Techou ni kaku' (Write in the planner). The particle changes based on the action.
Compound Nouns
You can add almost any purpose before 'techou' to create a specific meaning, like 'shigoto-techou' (work planner) or 'yume-techou' (dream journal).
Exemple
スケジュールを手帳に書きました。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur daily_life
もう少し
B1Un peu plus. (もう少し待ってください。 - Attendez un peu plus, s'il vous plaît.)
じゅうしょ
A2L'adresse physique où quelqu'un réside.
住所
A2Adresse, lieu de résidence. L'endroit où l'on habite officiellement.
～後
A2after
目覚まし
B1Un réveil. Un appareil qui sonne pour vous réveiller le matin.
目覚まし時計
B1Un réveil est un appareil utilisé pour réveiller les gens à une heure précise.
ひとりで
A2Alone.
~のに
B1Bien que ; malgré le fait que. Utilisé pour exprimer une surprise ou un regret face à une situation inattendue.
ごぜん
A2Le mot 'gozen' signifie le matin ou A.M. en japonais.
煩い
B1Le bruit dans la rue est très bruyant (urusai).
