What is the difference between "佚文" and "逸文"?

"佚文" means "a lost text" (C2), whereas "逸文" represents "surviving fragment of a lost work" (C2).

Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "いつぶん (itsubun)"

Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.

Kanji Option A

いつぶん (itsubun)

C2 / CEFR

Kanji Option B

いつぶん (itsubun)

C2 / CEFR

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "いつぶん (itsubun)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

佚文 (Level: C2): Translates to "a lost text" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
逸文 (Level: C2): Maps to "surviving fragment of a lost work" and carries the nuance of Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!

Bilingual Context for "佚文"

私は佚文に興味があります。

I am interested in a lost text.

Bilingual Context for "逸文"

私は逸文に興味があります。

I am interested in surviving fragment of a lost work.

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "私は＿＿＿に興味があります。" (Meaning: "I am interested in a lost text.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "佚文" is used for "a lost text" in the context: "I am interested in a lost text.".