1.
rarely, seldom (with negative)
Not often; used with negative verb forms to indicate that something happens infrequently.
滅多に is almost always used with negative verbs (〜ない) to express that something rarely or seldom happens. It emphasizes the exceptional rarity of the action.
Common patterns
Common examples
- 滅多に怒らない (rarely gets angry)
- 滅多に外食しない (rarely eats out)
- 滅多に会えない (can rarely meet)
- こんな機会は滅多にない (such an opportunity is rare)
FREQUENCY SCALE (with negative):
- あまり〜ない: not very often (mild)
- 滅多に〜ない: rarely, seldom (strong)
- ほとんど〜ない: hardly ever, almost never (very strong)
- 全然〜ない: not at all (absolute)
Usage
Also written as めったに in hiragana. Can occasionally appear without negative in the related form 滅多な: 滅多なことでは〜ない (not under ordinary circumstances).