散文 (sǎn wén) refers to 'prose' as a literary genre distinct from poetry, or a literary 'essay' (a short, artistic composition). Unlike 文章 (wén zhāng), which is a general term for any article or written piece (including news, reports, etc.), 散文 specifically implies a creative, non-rhyming literary form. It also differs from 小品 (xiǎo pǐn), which is a comedic stage skit or a very short vignette, not a formal literary essay.