diary
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diary
A book or file in which a person regularly records personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. The activity is often called 'Tagebuch führen' (to keep a diary).
Als Teenager habe ich jeden Abend in mein Tagebuch geschrieben.
As a teenager, I wrote in my diary every evening.
record
In a figurative sense, a chronological record or document that captures the course of events.
Die vielen Narben an seinen Armen waren wie ein Tagebuch seines gefährlichen Lebens.
The many scars on his arms were like a diary of his dangerous life.
The word 'Tagebuch' (diary) is a simple compound made up of 'die Tage' (the plural of 'der Tag', day) and 'das Buch' (book). So it is literally a 'book of days'.
In einem Tagebuch kann man seine Gedanken für jeden Tag festhalten.
In a diary, you can record your thoughts for each day.
The most common and natural way to say that you regularly write in a diary is the expression 'Tagebuch führen' (to keep a diary). The verb 'führen' (to lead/keep) is used here instead of 'schreiben' (to write) or 'machen' (to make/do).
Sie führt seit ihrer Kindheit Tagebuch.
She has kept a diary since childhood.
When talking about writing in a diary, the verbs 'schreiben' (to write) and 'eintragen' (to enter/record) are common. A single entry is called 'der Tagebucheintrag' (diary entry).
Er schrieb jeden Abend seine Erlebnisse in sein Tagebuch.
He wrote his experiences in his diary every evening.
journal
Tagebuch and Journal can both refer to a personal record kept regularly. Tagebuch clearly refers to recording one’s own experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Journal is less restricted to personal content and can also document other events or business activities chronologically.
In ihrem Tagebuch schreibt Mia jeden Abend über ihre Erlebnisse und Gefühle.
In her diary, Mia writes about her experiences and feelings every evening.
In ihrem Journal hält Mia jeden Abend die Ereignisse des Tages chronologisch fest.
In her journal, Mia records the day’s events chronologically every evening.
