‘回忆录’ (huí yì lù) is a noun meaning ‘memoir’—a written account of a person’s own life experiences, especially those that are significant, personal, or historically valuable. The three characters combine logically: ‘回’ (huí) means ‘to return’ or ‘back’, ‘忆’ (yì) means ‘to remember’ or ‘memory’, and ‘录’ (lù) means ‘to record’ or ‘record’. Together, they literally suggest ‘recording memories again’ or ‘documenting past recollections’.

This word is commonly used for formal, book-length autobiographical works—often published and read for their literary, historical, or cultural insight. It carries a tone of reflection, maturity, and intentionality; it’s not used for casual notes or fleeting thoughts. While diaries (日记, rì jì) capture daily life in real time, memoirs are retrospective, selective, and narrative-driven, often focusing on themes like growth, struggle, or identity.