1.
rare and curious; strange; exotic; outlandish
Something that is both rare and unusual, often attracting curiosity. Can describe objects, animals, plants, or behaviors that are strikingly different from the norm.
珍奇な植物を集めている。
I collect rare and unusual plants.
珍奇な風習に驚いた。
I was surprised by the exotic customs.
その博物館には世界中の珍奇な動物の標本が展示されている。
That museum displays specimens of rare and curious animals from around the world.
珍奇 combines 珍 (rare/unusual) and 奇 (strange/curious), creating a word that emphasizes both rarity and strangeness.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 珍しい — rare, unusual (common, neutral word)
- 珍奇 — rare and curious (more literary; emphasizes oddness)
- 奇妙 — strange, peculiar (emphasizes oddness without rarity)
珍奇 is somewhat literary and more commonly found in written descriptions than in casual conversation.