Meaning
逸 (イツ) groups several distinct meanings around one shared axis: departure from the ordinary. Whether that departure is physical, abstract, or qualitative determines which reading you need. Grasp that axis and the vocabulary sorts itself out.
The four main meanings are:
- To escape or flee — The original, most concrete sense: moving rapidly away from something, as in an animal bolting from danger or a prisoner making a break for freedom. This is the root from which the other meanings grew.
- To deviate or stray — An extension into abstract space: going off the expected path, departing from rules, norms, or the topic at hand. The arrow that misses its target has 逸れた; the conversation that wanders off topic has 逸れた.
- Outstanding or excellent — The qualitative leap: something so exceptional that it escapes or stands apart from the ordinary. This is arguably the most common meaning in modern formal Japanese, seen in 逸品 (masterpiece) and 秀逸 (superb).
- Leisurely or comfortable — The state of having escaped from obligation or hardship; appearing in 安逸 (ease and comfort, sometimes implying idleness).
Structurally, 逸 is composed of two elements. The bottom-left component is 辶 (しんにょう), the movement or road radical, which suggests forward motion or travel along a path. The upper-right component is 兔 (うさぎ), meaning rabbit. Together they sketch a vivid scene: a rabbit bolting down a road too fast to catch. That image covers all four meanings — the rabbit flees (escape), it cuts off at an unexpected angle (deviation), its speed surpasses every other animal (excellence), and the person who stops chasing simply watches it vanish into the distance (ease, 安逸).
The kanji has 11 strokes and belongs to the Joyo kanji list for secondary education. It is not taught in Japanese elementary school, reflecting its primarily formal and literary register. The radical 辶 (Kangxi radical 162) is shared by many other motion-related kanji including 道 (road), 運 (transport), 逃 (escape), and 遠 (far).
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The sole on'yomi reading is イツ (itsu). This reading appears in virtually all compound words and formal vocabulary involving 逸. One phonological detail: イツ ends in つ, which geminates (becomes っ) before voiceless consonants. This is why 逸品 is pronounced ippin (not itsuhin) and 逸失 is isshitsu (not itsushitsu). This is a standard feature of Japanese on'yomi phonology for readings ending in ツ.
Key compounds using the イツ reading:
- 逸品 (ippin) — a masterpiece; an item of exceptional, superior quality
- 逸話 (itsuwa) — an anecdote, an episode; a little-known story that "escaped" formal record
- 逸材 (itsuzai) — a person of outstanding talent or ability; a prodigy
- 逸脱 (itsudatsu) — deviation, departure from rules, norms, or expected behavior
- 秀逸 (shūitsu) — superb, excellent; of decidedly superior quality; used to praise art, writing, and performance
- 安逸 (an'itsu) — ease and comfort; a life free from hardship; can carry a nuance of undesirable idleness
- 逸失 (isshitsu) — loss; missing out; frequently appears in the legal term 逸失利益 (lost profits)
- 逸出 (isshutsu) — to stand out far above the rest; to be head and shoulders above others
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are そ.れる (soreru) and そ.らす (sorasu). Both are verb forms of 逸 meaning to deviate, to stray, or to go off course. They show up across everyday speech and writing, covering anything — physical or figurative — that drifts from its expected path.
そ.れる (soreru) — intransitive: something deviates on its own without external cause
- 話が逸れる (hanashi ga soreru) — the conversation goes off topic; the discussion wanders
- 矢が逸れた (ya ga soreta) — the arrow went astray; the arrow missed the target
- 台風が逸れた (taifū ga soreta) — the typhoon veered off its predicted course
そ.らす (sorasu) — transitive: someone intentionally causes something to deviate
- 目を逸らす (me wo sorasu) — to avert one's eyes; to look away from something deliberately
- 視線を逸らす (shisen wo sorasu) — to divert one's gaze; to redirect one's line of sight
- 話題を逸らす (wadai wo sorasu) — to change the subject; to steer the conversation away deliberately
Common Words & Compounds
逸 spreads across compounds in four loose clusters: excellence, deviation, ease, and storytelling. These words appear most in formal writing, legal texts, and news — a manageable set with wide reach.
Excellence and Quality
- 逸品 (ippin) — a masterpiece; an article of exceptional quality; often used in advertising and formal praise of craftsmanship
- 秀逸 (shūitsu) — superb, outstanding; used to describe works of art, performances, essays, or writing that rise far above the average
- 逸材 (itsuzai) — a person of outstanding ability; someone whose talent sets them completely apart from peers
- 逸出 (isshutsu) — to be far superior to others; to excel to such a degree that comparison becomes difficult
Deviation and Departure
- 逸脱 (itsudatsu) — deviation; departure from rules, norms, or expected behavior; a key term in regulations, policies, and legal documents
- 逸失 (isshitsu) — loss; missing out on something; prominently used in 逸失利益 (isshitsu rieki, lost profits) in legal and business contexts
- 奔逸 (hon'itsu) — running wild; going completely off the rails; an unrestrained outburst or behavior
Ease and Withdrawal
- 安逸 (an'itsu) — ease and comfort; a carefree life; can carry a negative connotation of laziness or complacency when contrasted with diligence
- 逸民 (itsumin) — a hermit or recluse; someone who has withdrawn from worldly society to live in peaceful seclusion
Stories and Anecdotes
- 逸話 (itsuwa) — an anecdote; a little-known episode or story about a famous person or historical event; a tale that "escaped" the formal historical record
Verbal Forms
- 逸する (issuru) — to miss; to let slip; to lose an opportunity; used in phrases such as 機会を逸する (to miss a chance)
- 逸れる (soreru) — to deviate; to stray; to veer off course; used for both physical and figurative departure from a path
- 逸らす (sorasu) — to cause to deviate; to avert (eyes, attention); to redirect (a conversation or gaze)
Example Sentences
この陶器は逸品で、美術館にも展示されています。
Kono tōki wa ippin de, bijutsukan ni mo tenji sarete imasu.
This piece of pottery is a masterpiece and is even on display at an art museum.
あの選手は逸材として全国に名を知られている。
Ano senshu wa itsuzai toshite zenkoku ni na wo shirarete iru.
That athlete is known throughout the country as a person of outstanding talent.
彼女のスピーチは秀逸で、会場から大きな拍手が起きた。
Kanojo no supīchi wa shūitsu de, kaijō kara ōkina hakushu ga okita.
Her speech was superb, drawing a long round of applause from the room.
話が逸れてしまいましたが、本題に戻りましょう。
Hanashi ga sorete shimaimashita ga, hondai ni modorimashou.
We've gotten off track — let's return to the main point.
規則からの逸脱は厳しく処罰されます。
Kisoku kara no itsudatsu wa kibishiku shobatsu saremasu.
Deviation from the rules will be strictly punished.
彼は安逸な生活を好まず、常に挑戦し続けた。
Kare wa an'itsu na seikatsu wo konomazu, tsune ni chōsen shi tsuzuketa.
He had no taste for comfortable idleness and kept challenging himself throughout his life.
そのチャンスを逸してしまったことを、今でも後悔しています。
Sono chansu wo isshite shimatta koto wo, ima demo kōkai shite imasu.
I still regret letting that chance slip.
台風は予想より北に逸れ、大きな被害は免れた。
Taifū wa yosō yori kita ni sore, ōkina higai wa manukareta.
The typhoon veered farther north than expected, and major damage was avoided.
祖父は若い頃の逸話をよく語ってくれた。
Sofu wa wakai koro no itsuwa wo yoku katatte kureta.
My grandfather often told us anecdotes from when he was young.
彼は恥ずかしくて、思わず目を逸らしてしまった。
Kare wa hazukashikute, omowazu me wo sorashite shimatta.
Flushed with embarrassment, he couldn't help but look away.
Memory Tip
Picture a rabbit (兔) bolting down a road (辶) — faster than anything else in sight. That one image carries every meaning of 逸. The rabbit flees from a predator: escape (逸走, 逸脱). It suddenly cuts sideways at an unexpected angle: deviate (逸れる). It blazes past every other animal in the field: excel (逸品, 秀逸). The person who stops chasing watches it fade peacefully into the distance: ease (安逸). One image, four meanings: escape, deviate, excel, rest easy.