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稀少 (xī shǎo) — sparse (scattered distribution); rare (infrequent)

Definition

Emphasizes low frequency or thin distribution — used for populations, resources, opportunities. Compared to 珍稀 it lacks the 'precious and worth protecting' nuance; 紧缺 focuses on active short supply.

adjective
sparse (scattered distribution)rare (infrequent)

Examples

  • 稀少，。
    Zhè ge dì qū rén kǒu xī shǎo, suǒ yǐ hěn ān jìng.
    This area has a sparse population, so it's very quiet.
  • 稀少，。
    Zhè zhǒng zhēn xī dòng wù fēi cháng xī shǎo, xū yào bǎo hù.
    This rare animal is very uncommon and needs protection.
  • 稀少，。
    Yīn wèi gōng zuò jī huì xī shǎo, hěn duō rén dōu bān zǒu le.
    Because job opportunities are scarce, many people have moved away.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

稀xīsparse
少shǎofew

稀 means sparse and 少 means few; together they describe something sparse or rare.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hégrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
希
希xī稀
Same sound today

稀 has 禾 (grain) beside 希, and 希 gives the character its sound.

Open 稀 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 少 is drawn as four dots, perhaps three grains of sand, to indicate a few or a little.

Open 少 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Quantity & Amount

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