Usage patterns 文ぶん 芸げい に 親した しむ to be well-versed in / cultivate an interest in literature
He has been immersed in literature since childhood.
文ぶん 芸げい を 志こころざ す to aspire to a career in literary arts
She entered the literature department at university, aspiring to a career in the literary arts.
文ぶん 芸げい に 携たずさ わる to be involved in / work in the literary arts
He is an editor who has worked in literary arts for many years.
Kanji 文 sentence, literature, style Related words 文学 is the standard word for literature as an academic discipline or body of written works, while 文芸 stresses the artistic, creative side of literature and can extend to the arts more broadly.
芸術 covers all forms of art including visual art and music, whereas 文芸 is centered on literary arts or the overlap between literature and art.
文芸 is a broader term covering all literary and artistic writing, while 純文学 specifically denotes serious, artistically ambitious fiction as opposed to genre work.
Don't confuse with 文芸 refers to literary/creative writing arts, while 芸能 refers to performing entertainment such as TV, music, and show business, despite sharing the kanji 芸 .
Word family· 13 literary work
literary studies; science of literature
man of letters; writer; literary figure
literary column; arts column
literary magazine
Show 5 more Show fewer literary club; literary section
oral literature; folklore
popular literature
literary criticism; book review
literary criticism
See all 13 in Explore →
Written forms 文ぶん 芸げい Usage 72%
Standard modern kanji form; high-frequency in news and general use.
文ぶん 藝げい Usage 28%
out-dated kanji form
Old kanji form using 藝 ; still seen in historical contexts or proper nouns.
ブンゲイ Usage <1%
Etymology Compound of 文 (writing, literature) and 芸 (art, craft). The spelling 文藝 uses the older form of 芸 . The word has been used since the Meiji era to refer to literary arts and broader cultural activities.
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