1.
thin, diluted, sparse
Describes a liquid, gas, or substance that is low in concentration or density. The physical sense of being diluted or thinned out.
高地は空気が希薄だ。
The air is thin at high altitude.
酸素が希薄な環境では息が苦しくなる。
In an oxygen-poor environment, it becomes hard to breathe.
標高が上がるにつれて大気はますます希薄になる。
The atmosphere becomes increasingly thin as altitude rises.
2.
weak, tenuous, lacking
Describes abstract things like awareness, interest, or connections that are weak, faint, or lacking in strength. The figurative sense of something being insubstantial.
危機意識が希薄だ。
There is a weak sense of crisis.
都会では近所付き合いが希薄になりがちだ。
In cities, neighborly relations tend to become tenuous.
若者の間で政治への関心が希薄になっていることが問題視されている。
It is seen as a problem that interest in politics has been waning among young people.
USAGE:
Also written as 稀薄 with the character 稀. Used as a na-adjective: 希薄な～, 希薄になる. The figurative sense (sense 2) is more common in everyday usage. Typical abstract nouns it modifies include 意識 (awareness), 関心 (interest), 関係 (relationship), and 根拠 (basis).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 意識が希薄: awareness is weak
- 関心が希薄: interest is thin
- 空気が希薄: air is thin
- 根拠が希薄: basis is tenuous