字数

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 字数 (じすう) is a compound noun for the number of written characters in a text.
• Basic usage: 応募文の字数は八百字以内 predicates an upper limit for a submission, while 文章の字数を数える makes the character count the object checked after writing.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Allowed limit and actual count
  • 字数は八百字以内 is an allowed range, whereas 字数を数える obtains the text’s actual value. The measure should not be changed into word count or sentence count.