noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
total illiteracy; complete inability to read
Literally 'not knowing even one character'; used to describe someone who is completely illiterate. Often used in set phrases like 一文不知の (illiterate).
He is totally illiterate and cannot even write his own name.
In old farming villages, there were many people who were completely illiterate.
文盲 also means illiteracy but is more formal and can be considered discriminatory; 一文不知 is a more descriptive, idiomatic expression.
無学 means uneducated or lacking formal learning, not necessarily illiterate; 一文不知 specifically refers to the inability to read.
Compound of 一 (one), 文 (character, writing), and 不知 (not knowing). The phrase literally means 'not knowing even one character' and is used idiomatically for total illiteracy.