noun
Chinese courtesy name; adult name
Historical Chinese practice: a name given to a man upon reaching adulthood, used in formal settings instead of his given name. Also used in pre-modern Japan.
中国の古典では、成人男性は字を持っていた。
In classical Chinese texts, adult men had a courtesy name.
彼の字は「子美」だった。
His courtesy name was 'Zimei'.
noun
A familiar or alternative name, not necessarily formal. Less common than あだ名 (adana) for everyday nicknames.
彼は友人から「タカ」という字で呼ばれている。
He is called by the nickname 'Taka' by his friends.
noun
section of a village; hamlet
Rare, historical administrative term for a subdivision of a village. Not in common modern use.
江戸時代の地図には、村をいくつかの字に分けて記録されている。
Edo-period maps record villages divided into several sections called aza.
From Chinese 字 (zì), originally meaning 'to give birth to' or 'to nurture', later used for a name given at adulthood. The Japanese reading あざな is a native Japanese word applied to this concept.