Glossary

Note

This glossary covers essential Obsidian and Zettelkasten terminology to help you navigate your note-taking journey.

Core Concepts

Term	Definition
Vault	A folder on your computer that contains all your Obsidian notes and settings. Each vault functions as a separate workspace with its own plugins, themes, and configurations.
Markdown	A lightweight markup language used to format text in Obsidian. It allows you to create headings, lists, emphasis, links, and more using simple syntax that remains readable even in plain text.
Zettelkasten	A note-taking and knowledge management method that focuses on creating atomic notes and connecting ideas through links. Developed by sociologist Niklas Luhmann, it emphasizes building a network of knowledge rather than hierarchical structures.
Backlinks	References that show which notes link to the current note. They help you discover connections between ideas and navigate your knowledge graph.
MOC	Map of Content; a note that serves as a table of contents or index for a topic. MOCs help organize related notes without enforcing rigid hierarchies.

Advanced Terminology

Term	Definition
Atomic Notes	Self-contained notes focused on a single idea or concept, making them easier to link and reuse across your knowledge system.
Bidirectional Links	Links that create connections in both directions between notes, allowing you to navigate forward and backward through related concepts.
YAML Frontmatter	Metadata at the top of a note enclosed between --- lines, containing properties like tags, aliases, and custom attributes.
Graph View	A visual representation of your notes and the connections between them, helping you identify clusters of related ideas and knowledge gaps.
Dataview	A popular plugin that enables database-like queries across your vault to create dynamic lists, tables, and dashboards.

Note Types

Term	Definition
Permanent Notes	Well-developed, standalone notes that capture ideas in your own words and are designed to last in your knowledge system.
Literature Notes	Notes that capture key ideas from books, articles, or other media you consume, often linked to their source.
Fleeting Notes	Quick, temporary notes to capture ideas before they're forgotten, typically refined into permanent notes later.
Daily Notes	Journal-style notes organized by date, often used to track daily activities, thoughts, and tasks.
Hub Notes	Central notes that connect related concepts and serve as entry points to different areas of your knowledge base.

Tip

Bookmark this glossary for quick reference as you build your Obsidian workflow. Understanding these terms will help you communicate with the Obsidian community and implement knowledge management best practices.