记载

• Pinyin: jì zǎi
• Hanzi breakdown: 记 = 讠 (speech) + 己 (self, phonetic) — words recorded for oneself; 载 = 车 (vehicle) + 栽 component — to carry or convey

Meaning

To record; to document; a written account. Putting events or information into written form for preservation.

More formal than 记录. Often used for historical records, official documents, and literary accounts. Can be used as both a verb (to record) and a noun (a record/account). Common collocations include 历史记载 (historical records), 据记载 (according to records), and 详细记载 (detailed account).

Examples

1. 据历史记载，这座城市已经有两千多年的历史了。 According to historical records, this city has a history of over two thousand years.
2. 这本书详细记载了那个时代的生活情况。 This book documented the living conditions of that era in detail.
3. 古代的文献中记载了很多有趣的故事。 Ancient texts recorded many interesting stories.

Usage Guide

Context: history, literature, official documents

Tone: scholarly

Do Say

• 古书中记载了这种药材的用法。(Ancient texts recorded the usage of this medicinal herb.)
• 这段历史没有被详细记载下来。(This part of history was not documented in detail.)

Don't Say

• 我记载了今天的天气 (Too formal for a personal diary entry — use 记录 or 记下 for everyday note-taking)

Origin & History

记 (to remember, to record) + 载 (to carry, to convey in writing) — carrying memories forward through writing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal