1.
rare; uncommon
Not frequently occurring or encountered.
Common patterns
- 稀な + noun — a rare ~: 稀な例 (a rare case), 稀なこと (a rare thing)
- 稀に — rarely, seldom (adverbial): 稀に見る (rarely seen)
- 稀にしか〜ない — only rarely ~
- 稀だ / 稀です — is rare (predicate)
Similar words
- 珍しい emphasizes unusualness or curiosity value; 稀 is purely about low frequency of occurrence.
- めったに〜ない needs a negative predicate; 稀に also works in affirmative sentences.
- たまに means "occasionally" — a low but ordinary frequency. 稀に is lower still and treats the event as exceptional.
Register and writing
Formal and written-leaning: news reports, official notices, technical and medical description (稀な病気). In everyday conversation 珍しい and めったに are the natural choices. Often written in kana as まれ; 希 is an accepted variant kanji.