1.
note-taking, writing, transcription
The act of writing things down, especially taking notes during lectures or meetings.
2.
written (as opposed to oral)
Used to describe tests or examinations that are written rather than spoken.
筆記 is writing things down by hand — taking notes as someone speaks, and, in the names of tests, the written format as opposed to the spoken one. It belongs to academic and official contexts; for everyday note-taking speakers reach for メモ instead.
Compounds
- 筆記試験 (written examination, as against 口述試験, an oral one)
- 筆記用具 (writing implements — the standard wording on school and exam instructions)
- 筆記体 (cursive script)