稀少

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 这种珍稀动物数量稀少,亟需保护。▶ —
   This rare animal is scarce in number and urgently needs protection.
2. 沙漠地区人口稀少,村庄之间相距很远。▶ —
   Desert regions are sparsely populated, with villages far apart.

Collocations

Mnemonic

稀 xī "sparse, thin" + 少 shǎo "few": sparse and few, i.e. scarce, rare. Polyphone: 少 is shǎo "few" but shào "young" (少年 shàonián). Distinguish 稀少 (scarce in number) from 稀有 (rare and precious, 稀有金属 rare metals).

Related

Quick check

1. How is the polyphone 少 read in 少年 (a youth)?

   • shào
   • shǎo
   • xiǎo
   • sǎo