稀有

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The adjective "稀有" (xīyǒu) describes something that is rare, uncommon, or scarce. It often conveys a sense of value or preciousness due to its rarity. This word is commonly used to describe objects, materials, animals, or phenomena that are not frequently encountered.

Common Collocations

  • 稀有 (rare mineral): used in scientific or commercial contexts to describe valuable minerals.
  • 稀有动物 (rare animal): refers to species that are seldom seen or endangered.
  • 稀有资源 (rare resource): natural resources that are limited in quantity.

Usage Notes

"稀有" is typically used in formal or written contexts rather than casual speech. It emphasizes the scarcity and often the value of the item or subject. It differs from "罕见" (hǎnjiàn), which also means rare but focuses more on the frequency of occurrence rather than value.

Common Confusion

Avoid confusing "稀有" with "稀少" (xīshǎo), which means scarce or few in number but does not necessarily imply preciousness. "稀有" often implies something worth noting or collecting because of its rarity.

Example Sentences

This rare mineral is very precious and expensive.

He has a collection of rare stamps.

This kind of animal is very rare in nature and almost never seen.