noun
being unknown; not knowing
Only when written 不知
Refers to the state of something being unknown or the act of not knowing. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
その事件の真相は不知のままである。
The truth of the incident remains unknown.
noun
Denotes a lack of knowledge or wisdom; can imply foolishness. Used in formal or literary settings.
不知ゆえの過ちを犯してしまった。
I made a mistake due to ignorance.
無知 is the common word for ignorance or lack of knowledge, while 不知 is more literary and less frequently used.
Compound of 不 (fu, 'not') and 知 (chi, 'knowing'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of 'not knowing' or 'ignorance'.