mokuhyouhosuu wo kirokuhyou ni kaku.

目標歩数 means target number of steps or step goal.

It is made of:

• 目標 = target, goal
• 歩数 = number of steps

So together, it refers to the step count someone aims for.

• 目 can relate to a mark or point
• 標 means mark/target
• 歩 = step, to walk
• 数 = number

This kind of noun + noun combination is very common in Japanese.

を marks the direct object of the verb.

In this sentence, the verb is 書く (to write), and the thing being written is 目標歩数.

So:

• 目標歩数を = the target step count as the thing being written

A natural way to think about it is:

• Write what? → 目標歩数

That is why を is used.

に marks the place where something is written.

Here:

• 記録表に書く = write in/on the record sheet

With 書く, the particle に is commonly used to show the surface, place, or destination of the writing.

Examples:

• ノートに書く = write in a notebook
• 紙に書く = write on paper
• 黒板に書く = write on the blackboard

So 記録表に tells you where the target step count should be written.

記録表 means something like record sheet, log sheet, tracking chart, or record table, depending on context.

It is made of:

• 記録 = record, to record
• 表 = table, chart, list, form

So this is probably a sheet or chart where information is recorded regularly.

In English, the best translation depends on the situation:

• health app worksheet → tracking sheet
• school form → record sheet
• chart with rows and columns → record table/chart

Because Japanese normally places the verb at the end of the sentence.

This sentence follows a very common Japanese pattern:

• object + particle + place + particle + verb

So:

• 目標歩数を = target number of steps
• 記録表に = in/on the record sheet
• 書く = write

Japanese is often described as an SOV language:

• Subject – Object – Verb

Even when the subject is omitted, the verb still usually comes last.

The subject is omitted.

Japanese often leaves out the subject when it is obvious from context. So this sentence does not explicitly say:

• you write
• I write
• one should write
• students write

It just says write the target number of steps in the record sheet.

Depending on context, it could mean:

• an instruction: Write the target number of steps in the record sheet.
• a dictionary-style statement: (Someone) writes the target number of steps in the record sheet.

This omission is extremely common in Japanese.

書く is the plain dictionary form of the verb.

This form can be used in several ways, depending on context:

• as a basic vocabulary form: to write
• in instructions on worksheets, forms, or manuals
• in headlines or short labels
• in simple neutral statements

On worksheets or educational materials, Japanese often uses dictionary form for short directions. It can feel like a concise instruction, similar to English worksheet language like:

• Write your name
• Circle the answer
• Complete the chart

A fuller polite instruction would be:

• 記録表に目標歩数を書いてください。 = Please write the target number of steps in the record sheet.

Yes, 記録表に目標歩数を書く is also perfectly natural.

Because particles show the role of each noun, Japanese word order is more flexible than English word order.

Both of these are grammatical:

• 目標歩数を記録表に書く
• 記録表に目標歩数を書く

The meaning stays basically the same:

• write the target number of steps in/on the record sheet

However, changing the order can slightly affect emphasis or flow. In many cases, both are fine.

A natural reading is:

もくひょう ほすう を きろくひょう に かく。

Breakdown:

• 目標 → もくひょう
• 歩数 → ほすう
• 記録表 → きろくひょう
• 書く → かく

So the whole sentence is:

もくひょうほすう を きろくひょう に かく。

Because this word uses the on-yomi (Sino-Japanese readings) of the kanji.

• 歩 can have different readings depending on the word
• 数 also has multiple readings

In the compound 歩数, the standard reading is:

• 歩 → ほ
• 数 → すう

So:

• 歩数 = ほすう

This is very common in kanji compounds: the reading of each kanji often changes depending on the word, so the whole vocabulary item should be learned as one unit.

It can correspond to either in or on in English, depending on what 記録表 is like.

Japanese に does not map perfectly to a single English preposition.

So:

• if you imagine a form or chart, English might say on the record sheet
• if you imagine a notebook or log, English might say in the record sheet

Japanese just uses に to mark the location/surface where the writing goes.

So the important point is not choosing exactly in versus on, but understanding that 記録表に means in/on the record sheet/chart.

Normally, に is the natural choice with 書く when marking the place or surface where something is written.

• 紙に書く = write on paper
• ノートに書く = write in a notebook

If you used で, it would usually mark the place where an action happens more generally, but with 書く, Japanese strongly prefers に for the writing surface/destination.

So for this sentence:

• 記録表に書く = natural
• 記録表で書く = unnatural in this meaning

It usually means to write, and very often that suggests physically writing by hand. But in practical contexts like worksheets, forms, or logs, it can also mean fill in or write down.

So in this sentence, depending on context, it could mean:

• literally write the target step count by hand
• enter/fill in the target step count on the record sheet

If the context were digital, Japanese might also use other verbs like:

• 入力する = enter/input
• 記入する = fill in

But 書く is still a very common, simple instruction.

Both can work, but they feel a little different.

• 書く = write
• 記入する = fill in, enter information in a form

書く is simpler and more basic.
記入する is a bit more formal and is often used for forms, applications, and official documents.

So:

• 目標歩数を記録表に書く = write the target step count in the record sheet
• 目標歩数を記録表に記入する = fill in the target step count on the record sheet

In a beginner sentence or simple instruction, 書く is very natural.

Japanese does not use articles like English a, an, and the.

So 目標歩数 could mean:

• a target step count
• the target step count
• your target step count

And 記録表 could mean:

• a record sheet
• the record sheet
• the tracking chart

The exact meaning is understood from context.

This is one reason Japanese can feel more compact than English.

It can function as either, but it most naturally looks like a short instruction or textbook/workbook item.

Because it is:

• short
• in dictionary form
• missing an explicit subject

it has the feel of:

• Write the target number of steps in the record sheet.

This style is very common in:

• worksheets
• forms
• manuals
• classroom instructions
• labeled action steps

So yes, it is grammatical as a sentence, but in real life it especially feels like an instruction.