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A1 noun 10분 분량

稀疏

xishu

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 稀疏 30초 만에

설명 稀疏 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of '稀疏' (xīshū) as a way to describe things that are not 'full' or 'thick'. Imagine a drawing of a tree with only five leaves—those leaves are '稀疏'. Most beginners use it to talk about hair or very simple scenes. It is an adjective, so you can just say 'Something + 很 + 稀疏'. For example, if you see a sky with only two or three stars, you can say 'Stars are sparse' (星星很稀疏). It is a very useful word for basic descriptions of nature and people. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just use it to describe physical things that look 'thin' or 'spread out'. It helps you move beyond basic colors and sizes to describe how things are arranged in space.

At the A2 level, you can start using '稀疏' (xīshū) to describe more varied situations, like weather and crowds. You might hear it in a simple story to describe a forest or a quiet street. A key pattern at this level is using it to modify a noun: '稀疏的' + Noun. For example, '稀疏的树木' (sparse trees). You should also begin to notice the difference between '稀疏' and '多' (many). If a place has 'many' things, they are usually not '稀疏'. However, a place can have 'few' things that are '稀疏'. This level is about expanding your descriptive power. You can also use it to describe sounds, like '稀疏的雨声' (the sparse sound of rain), which adds more flavor to your speaking and writing.

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At the B1 level, '稀疏' (xīshū) becomes a tool for more detailed and atmospheric descriptions. You should be able to use it to describe changes over time, such as '变得稀疏' (becoming sparse). For instance, '随着城市的发展，这里的绿地变得稀疏了' (With urban development, the green spaces here have become sparse). You will also start encountering this word in more formal reading materials, like news reports or geography lessons. At this stage, you should be careful not to confuse '稀疏' with '稀少'. Remember: '稀疏' is about the distance between things in space, while '稀少' is about the total number of things. This distinction is crucial for B1 learners who are aiming for more precise expression.

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At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '稀疏' (xīshū) in both concrete and abstract contexts. In addition to physical density, you might see it used in technical fields like '稀疏矩阵' (sparse matrix) in mathematics or computer science. You should also be able to appreciate the word's use in literature to create a specific mood, such as loneliness or tranquility. At this level, you should be able to use synonyms like '零星' or '稀薄' correctly in their respective contexts. Your ability to choose '稀疏' over a simpler word like '少' (few) demonstrates a higher level of linguistic sophistication and an understanding of spatial relationships in Chinese.

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At the C1 level, '稀疏' (xīshū) is used with a high degree of precision and often appears in classical-style modern prose or academic writing. You should understand its aesthetic value in Chinese culture, particularly in art and poetry where 'sparseness' is a valued quality. You can use it to describe complex social phenomena, such as the 'sparse' distribution of resources in remote areas, or the 'sparse' attendance at a niche cultural event. At this level, you should also be familiar with idioms or four-character phrases that incorporate the concept of sparseness. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's subtle connotations, such as the difference between a 'sparse' crowd that feels peaceful versus one that feels deserted.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '稀疏' (xīshū). You can use it to discuss philosophical concepts, such as the 'sparseness' of human connection in a digital age, or use it in high-level literary analysis to describe an author's style. You understand the historical evolution of the characters and how they contribute to the word's modern meaning. You can effortlessly switch between '稀疏' and its most technical or literary alternatives depending on the audience. At this level, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a flexible tool for expressing complex spatial, temporal, and conceptual relationships with nuance and cultural depth.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

稀疏 30초 만에

Used to describe low density in space or time.
Commonly applied to hair, trees, stars, and rain.
Contrasts with 'dense' (茂密/稠密).
Focuses on the 'gaps' between objects rather than total count.

The Chinese term 稀疏 (xīshū) is an evocative adjective used to describe a state where things are spread out, thin, or few and far between. While it translates simply to 'sparse' or 'scattered' in English, its usage in Mandarin carries a specific visual weight, often painting a picture of something that was once dense but has now thinned out, or something naturally occurring with significant gaps. It is a compound word formed by two characters: 稀 (xī), meaning rare or watery, and 疏 (shū), meaning distant or to dredge. Together, they create a nuanced descriptor for physical density and spatial distribution.

Physical Appearance: In everyday conversation, the most common application of xīshū relates to human features, particularly hair. When someone’s hair is thinning due to age or health, it is described as 头发稀疏 (tóufǎ xīshū). It avoids the harshness of 'bald' while accurately depicting the lack of density. This same logic applies to vegetation; a forest where the trees are not packed tightly together is a 稀疏的林木 (xīshū de línmù).
Spatial Distribution: The term extends to the arrangement of objects or people in a given area. For instance, if a large hall has only a few people scattered throughout, the crowd is described as 人群稀疏 (rénqún xīshū). This conveys a sense of emptiness or lack of vitality. In geography, it describes population density in vast, uninhabited regions like deserts or high plateaus.
Temporal and Sensory Contexts: Beyond the visible, xīshū can describe sounds or events. Imagine the sound of raindrops hitting a roof at the end of a storm—not a rhythmic downpour, but occasional, scattered drops. These are 稀疏的雨点 (xīshū de yǔdiǎn). Similarly, gunfire in the distance that is not continuous but intermittent is often described this way in literature to build tension.

秋天到了，树上的叶子变得非常稀疏。
(Autumn has arrived, and the leaves on the trees have become very sparse.)

由于干旱，这片土地上的植被十分稀疏。
(Due to the drought, the vegetation on this land is extremely sparse.)

When using this word, it is important to distinguish it from 稀少 (xīshǎo). While both involve 'fewness,' xīshǎo emphasizes quantity (there are few items), whereas xīshū emphasizes the distance between items (the items are spread out). For example, a rare diamond is xīshǎo, but stars in a twilight sky are xīshū. Understanding this distinction is key to reaching a natural, native-like command of the Mandarin language.

深夜的街道上，行人和车辆都非常稀疏。
(On the late-night streets, both pedestrians and vehicles are very scattered.)

Mastering the grammatical application of 稀疏 (xīshū) requires understanding its role primarily as a predicative adjective or an attributive adjective. In Mandarin, adjectives often function like verbs, meaning they can follow an intensifier like 很 (hěn) or 非常 (fēicháng) without needing a separate 'to be' verb. This makes it a versatile tool for describing scenes and physical states.

As a Predicate (Describing a Subject): The most common structure is [Subject + Adverb of Degree + 稀疏]. This is used to state a fact about the density of the subject. For example, 'The stars are sparse' becomes 星星很稀疏 (Xīngxīng hěn xīshū). This structure is direct and essential for descriptive writing and speaking.
As an Attribute (Modifying a Noun): When you want to describe a specific noun directly, use the pattern [稀疏 + 的 + Noun]. For example, 'sparse hair' is 稀疏的头发 (xīshū de tóufǎ). This is particularly useful when the adjective is part of a larger object or subject phrase, such as 'The man with sparse hair is my teacher.'

他那稀疏的胡须让他看起来比实际年龄要大。
(His sparse beard makes him look older than his actual age.)

Another sophisticated way to use 稀疏 is in the context of time and frequency, though this is more literary. When events occur at long intervals, they might be described as 稀疏. For instance, the 'sparse' sounds of a distant bell. This usage bridges the gap between physical space and temporal space, showing the depth of the word's conceptual roots.

清晨的校园里，只能听到几声稀疏的鸟鸣。
(In the early morning campus, only a few scattered bird chirps can be heard.)

In scientific or technical writing, 稀疏 is used to describe data or materials. 'Sparse data' in computer science is often translated as 稀疏数据 (xīshū shùjù). This demonstrates that while the word is taught at an early level for physical descriptions, it remains vital in advanced professional contexts. Whether you are describing a thinning forest or a mathematical matrix, 稀疏 provides the precise vocabulary needed to convey the concept of low density and wide spacing.

The word 稀疏 (xīshū) is not just a textbook term; it is deeply embedded in the daily sensory experience of Mandarin speakers. You will encounter it in various settings, from casual observations to formal reports. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word in the wild and use it with confidence.

In Nature and Weather Reports: Meteorologists and nature enthusiasts frequently use xīshū. During a weather forecast, if a storm is breaking up, the reporter might say the rain is becoming xīshū. In nature documentaries, the narrator might describe the 稀疏的草原 (xīshū de cǎoyuán)—sparse grasslands—where animals must travel long distances for water. It provides a visual scale that helps the audience understand the environment.
In Literature and Poetry: Chinese literature, both classical and modern, utilizes xīshū to evoke atmosphere. A writer might describe a character's aging by mentioning their xīshū hair, or set a lonely scene by describing xīshū stars in a cold sky. It often carries a connotation of 'quiet' or 'solitary,' making it a favorite for poets who want to emphasize the stillness of a scene.
In Urban and Social Settings: If you are traveling in China, you might hear this word in relation to crowds. In a busy city like Shanghai, a local might remark that during the Spring Festival, the usually packed subway becomes xīshū because many people have returned to their hometowns. It describes a noticeable change from density to emptiness.

窗外的雨声渐渐稀疏了，天快要亮了。
(The sound of rain outside the window gradually became sparse; dawn is almost here.)

Furthermore, in the digital age, you might see this word in data visualization or mapping contexts. When looking at a map of cell service or population, areas with low coverage are labeled xīshū. This transition from poetic nature to modern technology proves the word's enduring utility. Whether you are reading a 10th-century poem or a 21st-century tech report, xīshū remains the standard way to express the beauty and reality of things being spread thin.

这幅画中，远处的山影稀疏，给人一种空旷的感觉。
(In this painting, the distant mountain shadows are sparse, giving a sense of vast emptiness.)

While 稀疏 (xīshū) is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often encounter specific pitfalls due to the nuances of Mandarin synonyms. Avoiding these common errors will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy.

Confusing 稀疏 (xīshū) with 稀少 (xīshǎo): This is the most frequent error. Xīshǎo means 'rare' or 'few in number' (quantity), while xīshū means 'sparse' or 'spread out' (distribution). If you say 'The pandas are xīshū,' it sounds like you are saying the pandas are physically spread thin across the land. While technically possible, you likely mean they are 'rare,' which should be xīshǎo. Use xīshū for things that occupy space, like hair or trees.
Incorrect Use for Liquids: In English, we might say a soup is 'thin' or 'sparse' on ingredients. In Chinese, if you want to say a soup is watery or thin, you should just use the single character 稀 (xī), as in 这碗粥很稀 (zhè wǎn zhōu hěn xī). Using xīshū for a liquid would sound unnatural and confusing to a native speaker.

Incorrect: 这里的资源非常稀疏。
(Wait! Use 稀少 for resources/quantity.)

Another mistake is using xīshū to describe time intervals for common events. If you want to say 'I rarely go to the gym,' you should use 很少 (hěn shǎo) or 不常 (bù cháng). Xīshū is reserved for the physical or sensory 'gaps' between occurrences, like the occasional sound of a drum, rather than the frequency of a person's habits.

Incorrect: 我去电影院的次数很稀疏。
(Wait! Use 很少 for frequency of actions.)

By keeping these distinctions in mind—Quantity vs. Distribution, Liquid vs. Solid, and Action vs. State—you will avoid the most common traps that English speakers fall into when using this elegant Chinese word.

To truly articulate nuances in Mandarin, you must understand how 稀疏 (xīshū) relates to its synonyms. Each word in this family has a specific 'flavor' and context where it shines brightest.

稀疏 (xīshū) vs. 稀少 (xīshǎo): As mentioned, xīshū focuses on spatial distribution. Xīshǎo focuses on quantity. If a park has only two trees, those trees are xīshǎo. If a park has many trees but they are planted very far apart, the forest is xīshū.
稀疏 (xīshū) vs. 稀薄 (xībó): Xībó is specifically used for gases or atmospheres. For example, the air on top of Mount Everest is xībó (thin/rarefied). You would never say the air is xīshū. Xīshū is for discrete objects you can count or see individually, like stars or trees.
稀疏 (xīshū) vs. 零星 (língxīng): Língxīng literally means 'fragmented stars.' It is used for things that are scattered and irregular, often with a sense of being 'leftover' or 'incidental.' While xīshū describes a general state of low density, língxīng describes small, scattered amounts, like 'scattered applause' (零星的掌声).

高原上的空气非常稀薄，呼吸很困难。
(The air on the plateau is very thin; breathing is difficult.)

Choosing the right word depends on what you are looking at. If you see a few houses spread across a valley, 稀疏 is perfect. If you are talking about a rare species of animal, use 稀少. If you are describing the faint scent of flowers in the wind, 幽微 (yōuwēi) might be better. By expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives, you move beyond basic communication into the realm of expressive and precise Chinese.

会场里响起了零星的掌声。
(Scattered applause broke out in the meeting hall.)

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The character '疏' is also the same 'shū' used in 'communication' (沟通 - gōutōng) in the sense of 'clearing a path' for information. This shows how the concept of 'space' and 'flow' are linked in Chinese thought.

발음 가이드

UK /ʃiː ʃuː/

US /ʃiː ʃuː/

In Mandarin, there is no word stress like in English, but both syllables should be given equal length and high pitch.

라임이 맞는 단어

西 (xī) 衣 (yī) 书 (shū) 出 (chū) 鸡 (jī) 低 (dī) 姑 (gū) 租 (zū)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing 'x' as 'ex' or 'z'.
Dropping the first tone to a neutral tone on the second syllable.
Confusing the 'u' in 'shu' with the 'ü' in 'xu'.
Making the 'i' in 'xi' too short.
Failing to maintain the high pitch throughout both characters.

난이도

독해 2/5

The characters are somewhat complex but the meaning is consistent across contexts.

쓰기 3/5

The character '疏' has many strokes and requires practice to write correctly.

말하기 1/5

Pronunciation is easy (two first tones) and it's a very common descriptive word.

듣기 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the distinct 'x' and 'sh' sounds.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

多 (duō) - Many 少 (shǎo) - Few 头发 (tóufǎ) - Hair 树 (shù) - Tree 星星 (xīngxīng) - Star

다음에 배울 것

茂密 (màomì) - Dense (plants) 稠密 (chóumì) - Dense (population) 稀释 (xīshì) - Dilute 分布 (fēnbù) - Distribution 密度 (mìdù) - Density

고급

稀松平常 (xīsōng píngcháng) - Ordinary; trivial. 疏离感 (shūlígǎn) - Sense of alienation. 寥廓 (liáokuò) - Vast and empty.

알아야 할 문법

Adjectives as Predicates

星星很稀疏。(The stars are sparse.)

The particle '的' for noun modification

稀疏的头发 (Sparse hair)

Complement of degree with '得'

树长得稀疏。(The trees grow sparsely.)

Reduplication for emphasis (AABB)

稀稀疏疏的雨点 (Very scattered raindrops)

Using '变得' for change of state

人群变得稀疏了。(The crowd became sparse.)

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수준별 예문

他的头发很稀疏。

His hair is very sparse.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

森林里的树很稀疏。

The trees in the forest are sparse.

Describes physical distribution.

天空中有几颗稀疏的星星。

There are a few sparse stars in the sky.

Adjective + 的 + Noun.

这里的草长得稀疏。

The grass grows sparsely here.

Verb + 得 + Adjective (complement of degree).

老人的胡须很稀疏。

The old man's beard is very sparse.

Describing human features.

这片土地上只有稀疏的小草。

There is only sparse grass on this land.

Used as an attributive.

路上的行人很稀疏。

The pedestrians on the road are sparse.

Describing crowd density.

雨点变得稀疏了。

The raindrops have become sparse.

Describes a change in state.

冬天的树枝看起来很稀疏。

The tree branches look very sparse in winter.

Adjective as a predicate.

这是一个稀疏的小村庄。

This is a sparse little village.

Describing layout.

我听到了稀疏的掌声。

I heard scattered applause.

Describing sounds.

山上的植被非常稀疏。

The vegetation on the mountain is very sparse.

Formal description of nature.

在这个稀疏的地区，很难找到商店。

In this sparse area, it's hard to find shops.

Describing population/infrastructure.

由于缺水，庄稼长得稀疏。

Due to lack of water, the crops grow sparsely.

Explaining a cause and effect.

稀疏的阳光穿过窗帘。

Sparse sunlight passes through the curtains.

Poetic description.

深夜，车流变得稀疏了。

Late at night, the traffic became sparse.

Temporal change.

这种植物在干旱地区分布稀疏。

This plant is sparsely distributed in arid regions.

Scientific distribution.

老教授有着稀疏的白发。

The old professor has sparse white hair.

Character description.

我们走在稀疏的林间小路上。

We are walking on a path in the sparse woods.

Setting a scene.

远方的灯火稀疏，显得很宁静。

The lights in the distance are sparse, appearing very peaceful.

Evoking a mood.

这场雨下得并不大，雨点很稀疏。

This rain isn't heavy; the raindrops are very sparse.

Describing weather intensity.

随着人口外迁，村里的房屋变得稀疏了。

With people moving out, the houses in the village have become sparse.

Social change description.

他在笔记本上留下了几行稀疏的文字。

He left a few sparse lines of text in the notebook.

Describing writing density.

这片荒漠只有稀疏的灌木丛。

This desert has only sparse bushes.

Geographical description.

数据点在图表上分布得非常稀疏。

The data points are distributed very sparsely on the chart.

Technical/Analytical context.

稀疏的树影投射在古老的墙壁上。

Sparse tree shadows are projected on the ancient wall.

Literary/Visual description.

由于观众稀疏，演出提前结束了。

Due to the sparse audience, the performance ended early.

Formal social context.

这篇文章结构松散，论点稀疏。

The article is loosely structured and the arguments are sparse.

Metaphorical/Abstract use.

在稀疏的星光下，我们继续前进。

Under the sparse starlight, we continued forward.

Narrative style.

这种稀疏的社会联系在现代城市很常见。

This kind of sparse social connection is common in modern cities.

Sociological context.

稀疏的建筑群显示出这里尚未完全开发。

The sparse cluster of buildings shows that this place is not yet fully developed.

Urban planning context.

他那稀疏的笑声打破了沉默。

His sparse laughter broke the silence.

Describing intermittent sound.

诗人用稀疏的笔触勾勒出一幅秋意图。

The poet used sparse brushstrokes to outline a scene of autumn.

Artistic/Literary analysis.

尽管资源稀疏，他们依然坚持研究。

Despite the sparse resources, they still persisted in their research.

Abstract quality description.

稀疏的植被无法有效防止水土流失。

Sparse vegetation cannot effectively prevent soil erosion.

Scientific/Environmental formal context.

他的记忆已经变得稀疏，许多细节都模糊了。

His memories have become sparse, and many details have blurred.

Metaphorical use for mental state.

在这个偏远地区，医疗设施十分稀疏。

In this remote area, medical facilities are very sparse.

Formal social/political description.

稀疏的雨声伴随着他度过了一个孤独的夜晚。

The sparse sound of rain accompanied him through a lonely night.

Evocative literary style.

这种稀疏的分布模式引起了地理学家的注意。

This sparse distribution pattern caught the attention of geographers.

Academic terminology.

稀疏的阳光并不能驱散冬日的严寒。

The sparse sunlight could not dispel the severe cold of winter.

Descriptive personification.

该算法专门用于处理稀疏矩阵的运算。

The algorithm is specifically designed to handle operations on sparse matrices.

Highly technical/Scientific context.

在宏大的历史叙事中，个人的声音往往显得稀疏。

In grand historical narratives, individual voices often appear sparse.

Philosophical/Abstract discourse.

这种稀疏的美学风格体现了东方的哲学思想。

This sparse aesthetic style embodies Eastern philosophical thought.

Cultural/Philosophical analysis.

由于信息稀疏，我们很难对局势做出准确判断。

Due to the sparseness of information, it is difficult for us to make an accurate judgment on the situation.

Complex logical reasoning.

稀疏的星斗点缀在深邃的夜幕上，引发无限遐想。

Sparse stars dot the deep night sky, sparking infinite imagination.

Sophisticated literary imagery.

城市扩张导致原有的自然生态链变得稀疏破碎。

Urban expansion has caused the original natural ecological chain to become sparse and fragmented.

Formal environmental discourse.

虽然论据稀疏，但其核心逻辑依然坚实。

Although the arguments are sparse, the core logic remains solid.

Intellectual critique.

稀疏的过往如烟云般在脑海中掠过。

The sparse past passed through the mind like drifting smoke.

High-level metaphorical expression.

자주 쓰는 조합

头发稀疏

植被稀疏

稀疏的雨点

稀疏的星光

稀疏的人群

稀疏矩阵

灯火稀疏

稀疏的掌声

胡须稀疏

稀疏分布

자주 쓰는 구문

变得稀疏

— To become sparse. Used to describe a process of thinning.

化疗后，他的头发开始变得稀疏。

稀疏可见

— Sparsely visible. Used when things can barely be seen due to low density.

云层中，稀疏可见几颗星星。

稀稀疏疏

— A reduplicated form that emphasizes the scattered nature. Very common in speech.

树林里稀稀疏疏地长着一些杂草。

稀疏的林子

— Sparse woods. A common way to describe a light forest.

稀疏的林子里透出一点阳光。

分布稀疏

— Sparsely distributed. A formal way to describe location patterns.

该地区的学校分布稀疏。

稀疏的小雨

— Sparse light rain. Describes rain that is not continuous.

外面下着稀疏的小雨，不用打伞。

稀疏的枝叶

— Sparse branches and leaves. Used for plants that aren't lush.

冬天的老槐树只有稀疏的枝叶。

稀疏的建筑

— Sparse buildings. Used for underdeveloped or rural areas.

这一带只有几栋稀疏的建筑。

稀疏的胡子

— Sparse beard. Common physical description.

年轻人留着稀疏的胡子。

稀疏的灯光

— Sparse lights. Used to create a quiet, lonely mood.

深夜的街道上，只有稀疏的灯光。

자주 혼동되는 단어

稀疏 vs 稀少

Xīshǎo means few in quantity; Xīshū means sparse in distribution.

稀疏 vs 稀薄

Xībó is only for air, gases, or liquids; Xīshū is for discrete objects.

稀疏 vs 稀松

Xīsōng means loose or ordinary; it does not mean sparse.

관용어 및 표현

"稀稀拉拉"

— Scattered and messy. Often used to describe a crowd or an organization that lacks order.

操场上稀稀拉拉地站着几个人。

Informal

"寥寥无几"

— Very few; can be counted on one's fingers. While not containing '稀疏', it is the conceptual partner for extreme sparseness.

他的支持者寥寥无几。

Formal

"地广人稀"

— Vast land with a sparse population. A common idiom for rural or frontier areas.

西北地区地广人稀，自然风光优美。

Neutral

"门可罗雀"

— So quiet and deserted that you can catch sparrows at the door. Describes a lack of visitors.

自从新店开张，老店就门可罗雀了。

Literary

"三三两两"

— In twos and threes. Describes a small, scattered group of people.

下课了，学生们三三两两地走出教室。

Neutral

"零零星星"

— Scattered here and there; fragmentary.

地上散落着零零星星的小花。

Neutral

"寥若晨星"

— As sparse as the stars at dawn. Used to describe something extremely rare.

像他这样的人才在当今社会寥若晨星。

Literary

"屈指可数"

— Can be counted on the fingers. Used for a very small number.

国内顶尖的专家屈指可数。

Neutral

"星罗棋布"

— Spread out like stars in the sky or pieces on a chessboard. This is the opposite—describing many things spread out over a large area.

湖泊在平原上星罗棋布。

Literary

"稀世之宝"

— A rare treasure of the world. Uses the '稀' character to mean rare.

这件古董是稀世之宝。

Formal

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稀疏 vs 稀少 (xīshǎo)

Both start with '稀' and relate to 'not much'.

稀少 is about 'how many' (number). 稀疏 is about 'how far apart' (space). You can have many things that are 稀疏 if the area is huge.

这种鸟类很稀少。(This bird is rare.)

稀疏 vs 稀薄 (xībó)

Both describe a 'thin' state.

稀薄 is for things that don't have clear boundaries, like air or fog. 稀疏 is for things you can count, like trees or hair.

山顶空气稀薄。(The air at the top is thin.)

稀疏 vs 零星 (língxīng)

Both mean 'scattered'.

零星 implies small, irregular amounts, often leftovers. 稀疏 is a more general descriptor of density.

零星的雨点。(Scattered raindrops.)

稀疏 vs 疏远 (shūyuǎn)

Both contain '疏'.

疏远 is about emotional or social distance between people. 稀疏 is about physical density.

他们的关系疏远了。(Their relationship drifted apart.)

稀疏 vs 稀松 (xīsōng)

Both start with '稀'.

稀松 usually means 'loose' (physical) or 'ordinary/not special' (metaphorical). It doesn't mean sparse.

这土很稀松。(This soil is very loose.)

문장 패턴

Subject + 很 + 稀疏

头发很稀疏。

稀疏的 + Noun

稀疏的星星。

Subject + 变得 + 稀疏

树叶变得稀疏。

Noun + 分布 + 稀疏

人口分布稀疏。

稀疏的 + Sound Noun

稀疏的掌声。

Abstract Subject + 显得 + 稀疏

个人的声音显得稀疏。

虽然...但...稀疏

虽然是春天，但草长得稀疏。

Verb + 得 + 稀疏

雨下得稀疏。

어휘 가족

명사

稀疏度 (xīshūdù) - Sparseness; degree of sparsity.

稀疏矩阵 (xīshū jǔzhèn) - Sparse matrix (math).

형용사

稀疏 (xīshū) - Sparse; scattered.

稀稀疏疏 (xīxī-shūshū) - Very scattered (emphatic).

사용법

frequency

Common in both spoken and written Chinese.

자주 하는 실수

Using 稀疏 for 'few' quantity. → 稀少 (xīshǎo)
If you only have 5 books, they are 稀少. If they are spread across 10 rooms, they are 稀疏.
Using 稀疏 for watery soup. → 稀 (xī)
Liquids are just '稀', never '稀疏'.
Using 稀疏 for a thin person. → 瘦 (shòu)
稀疏 is about density of items, not body weight.
Using 稀疏 for air at high altitude. → 稀薄 (xībó)
Gases have their own word for 'sparse' which is 稀薄.
Using 稀疏 to mean 'seldom' (frequency). → 很少 (hěn shǎo)
You cannot say 'I 稀疏 go to school.' Use 很少 for frequency of actions.

팁

Hair Description

When describing hair, '稀疏' is the standard polite way to say someone is losing hair without being blunt.

Using with Adverbs

Always pair it with '很', '非常', or '变得' to sound more natural in a sentence.

Artistic Context

Use it when discussing traditional Chinese painting to sound like an expert on 'white space'.

Population Density

Use '人口稀疏' when talking about rural areas or large countries like Canada or Russia.

Rainy Days

Use '雨点稀疏' to describe the moment a storm is ending or just beginning.

Intermittent Sounds

Describe occasional sounds (like a bell or a bird) as '稀疏' to add a literary touch.

Xishu vs Xishao

Remember: Xishu = Space, Xishao = Count. This is the most important distinction to master.

Stroke Order

Pay close attention to the right side of '疏'; it's often written incorrectly by learners.

Technical Use

If you work in IT or Math, learn '稀疏矩阵' (Sparse Matrix)—it's a very common term.

Emphasis

Reduplicate to '稀稀疏疏' when you want to emphasize the scattered, 'here and there' feeling.

암기하기

기억법

Imagine a field of grain (禾) that is rare (稀) and a foot (疋, part of 疏) walking a long distance between each plant. Rare grain + long distance = Sparse.

시각적 연상

Visualize a comb with half its teeth missing. That is '稀疏' hair. Or imagine a night sky in a big city where you can only see two stars—that is '稀疏' starlight.

Word Web

Hair (头发) Trees (树木) Stars (星星) Rain (雨点) Population (人口) Distribution (分布) Sparse Matrix (矩阵) Applause (掌声)

챌린지

Try to describe three things in your room right now using '稀疏'. For example, are the books on your shelf sparse? Is the light in the room sparse?

어원

The character '稀' (xī) originally referred to the spacing of rice plants. It contains the '禾' (grain) radical. '疏' (shū) originally meant to dredge a channel or to move something through, later evolving to mean distance or separation. Together, they describe the physical state of being spread thin.

원래 의미: The original meaning was specifically related to agriculture—planting crops with enough space between them.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

문화적 맥락

Be careful when describing a person's hair as 稀疏, as it can be a sensitive topic regarding aging, just like in English.

English speakers often use 'thin' for hair and 'sparse' for forests. Chinese uses '稀疏' for both, making it a powerful multi-purpose word.

Used in Tang poetry to describe autumn scenes. Commonly found in the descriptions of the 'Gobi Desert' in Chinese geography books. A key term in modern Chinese data science textbooks.

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실제 사용 상황

Talking about aging

头发稀疏
胡须稀疏
牙齿稀疏
变得稀疏

Describing the weather

稀疏的雨点
稀疏的云
稀疏的雪花
阳光稀疏

Geography and Nature

植被稀疏
人口稀疏
稀疏的森林
分布稀疏

Night Scenes

星光稀疏
灯火稀疏
稀疏的月光
行人稀疏

Audio/Sound

稀疏的掌声
稀疏的枪声
稀疏的鸟鸣
稀疏的脚步声

대화 시작하기

"你觉得这个公园的树是不是太稀疏了？"

"为什么大城市晚上的星星总是那么稀疏？"

"你注意到他的头发变得稀疏了吗？"

"在你的家乡，人口分布是稠密还是稀疏？"

"你喜欢稀疏的森林还是茂密的丛林？"

일기 주제

描述一个你见过的最稀疏的景观（如沙漠或冬天的树林）。

当你在一个行人稀疏的街道上行走时，你有什么感觉？

写一段关于深秋叶子变得稀疏的文字。

讨论一下现代社会中，人与人之间的联系是否变得稀疏了。

描述一场雨从密集到稀疏的过程。

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, you should use '瘦' (shòu) or '单薄' (dānbó). '稀疏' is for the density of things like hair or trees, not the body of a person.

'稀疏' is a neutral, standard adjective. '稀稀拉拉' is more informal and often implies a sense of messiness or lack of order, like people standing around randomly.

No. For watery soup or porridge, use the single character '稀' (xī). For example: '这粥太稀了' (This porridge is too watery).

Yes, but mostly for sounds or events that happen with gaps in between, like '稀疏的鼓声' (sparse drumbeats). For personal habits, use '很少' (hěn shǎo).

You can say '头发变得稀疏' (tóufǎ biànde xīshū) or simply '头发稀疏'.

It is mostly neutral. It can be negative (thinning hair) or positive/aesthetic (sparse stars, minimalist painting).

The opposite is '稠密' (chóumì), as in '人口稠密' (densely populated).

Yes, in technical contexts like '稀疏数据' (sparse data) or '稀疏矩阵' (sparse matrix).

The character '疏' has a '疋' (foot) radical on the left and '㐬' on the right. Practice the stroke order carefully!

Not exactly. 'Rare' is usually '稀少' or '罕见'. '稀疏' specifically means things are spread thin over an area.

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