'Jí yì' (辑佚) is a specialized scholarly verb meaning 'to recover lost texts'—typically ancient Chinese writings that have been partially or wholly lost over time but can be reconstructed from quotations found in later works, inscriptions, or unearthed manuscripts. The first character 辑 (jí) means 'to compile' or 'to collect and organize', while 佚 (yì) means 'lost', 'scattered', or 'no longer extant'. Together, they form a compound expressing the meticulous process of locating, verifying, and reassembling fragments of vanished literature into a coherent whole.

This term is used almost exclusively in academic contexts—especially classical Chinese studies, philology, and historical textual research. Scholars engaged in 辑佚 may spend years cross-referencing citations in encyclopedias like the Yongle Dadian or bamboo-slip discoveries from Han dynasty tombs. It reflects both a technical methodology and a cultural commitment to preserving intellectual heritage. While rare in daily speech, it appears frequently in prefaces to critical editions, research monographs, and university syllabi on traditional Chinese literature.