1.
nickname, pet name, alias
A name given to someone based on their characteristics, appearance, or other features, often used among friends or classmates.
あだ名で呼ぶ。
Call someone by their nickname.
彼のあだ名は「カズ」だ。
His nickname is 'Kazu.'
子供の頃、変なあだ名をつけられた。
When I was a child, I was given a strange nickname.
あだ名 refers to a nickname — an informal name given based on someone's characteristics, appearance, habits, or a play on their real name. Common among children and close friends.
WRITING:
Usually written as あだ名. The full kanji forms 渾名 and 綽名 are rarely used.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- あだ名をつける: to give a nickname
- あだ名で呼ぶ: to call by a nickname
- あだ名がつく: to get a nickname
- 変なあだ名: a weird nickname
CULTURAL NOTE:
Nicknames are very common among Japanese schoolchildren. They are often formed by shortening a name (e.g., たかはし → たかし), adding ちゃん or くん, or based on physical traits or personality.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ニックネーム: nickname (loanword, more neutral)
- 愛称: pet name, term of endearment (more formal)