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B1 adverb 10 min read

稀に

mare ni

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 稀に in 30 Seconds

Explanation 稀に in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to talk about how often you do things. You likely know 'always' (itsumo) and 'sometimes' (tokidoki). '稀に' (mare ni) is a bit more advanced, but you can think of it as 'very, very sometimes.' It means 'rarely' in English. For example, if you eat sushi once a year, you can say 'Mare ni sushi o tabemasu.' It's important to remember that 'mare ni' usually goes before the action word (verb). At this stage, don't worry too much about the kanji (the Chinese characters); focus on the sound 'mare ni' and the idea that it represents something that almost never happens. It's a useful word when you want to be more specific than just saying 'sometimes.' Imagine a scale from 1 to 10. If 'itsumo' (always) is 10 and 'tokidoki' (sometimes) is 5, then 'mare ni' is like a 1. It helps people understand that something is special or unusual. Try using it to talk about things you only do on your birthday or during a special holiday! Even at A1, using 'mare ni' shows you are paying attention to the details of how often things happen.

At the A2 level, you are expanding your vocabulary to include more specific adverbs. You probably already use 'tamani' to mean 'occasionally.' '稀に' (mare ni) is the next step down in frequency. While 'tamani' might be once a month, 'mare ni' is more like once or twice a year. It's a very helpful word for describing habits that are not part of your regular routine. For instance, 'Mare ni tegami o kakimasu' (I rarely write letters). Notice that we use the 'ni' particle to turn the adjective 'mare' into an adverb. You should also start recognizing the kanji '稀,' although it's perfectly fine to write it in hiragana 'まれに.' Another thing to notice at this level is that 'mare ni' is often used with positive verbs (things you *do*). If you want to say you *don't* do something often, you might use 'metta ni' with a negative verb, which is a slightly different pattern. 'Mare ni' focuses on the rare moment when the action actually happens. It's a great word to use in your self-introductions or when talking about your hobbies to show that you have a nuanced understanding of frequency.

At the B1 level, '稀に' (mare ni) is an essential part of your toolkit for more natural and precise Japanese. You are now expected to distinguish between various levels of frequency and formality. 'Mare ni' is more formal than 'tamani' and is frequently found in written texts, news reports, and professional settings. It specifically highlights the exceptional nature of an event. For example, in a business context, you might say, 'Mare ni toraburu ga okoru' (Troubles rarely occur). This sounds much more professional and objective than using 'tamani.' You should also be comfortable with the set phrase '稀にみる' (mare ni miru), which acts as an adjective meaning 'rarely seen' or 'extraordinary,' such as 'mare ni miru sainou' (a rarely seen talent). At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse 'mare ni' with 'metta ni.' Remember: 'mare ni' + positive verb emphasizes the occurrence, while 'metta ni' + negative verb emphasizes the lack of occurrence. Using 'mare ni' correctly in your essays and speeches will significantly elevate the quality of your Japanese, making it sound more mature and well-considered.

At the B2 level, you should be using '稀に' (mare ni) with confidence in a variety of complex sentence structures. You understand that 'mare ni' can be modified to 'goku mare ni' (extremely rarely) for added emphasis. You are also able to use it in conditional sentences or to describe statistical outliers in academic or technical discussions. For instance, 'Mare ni fukusayou ga deru kanousei ga arimasu' (There is a possibility that side effects may rarely appear). At this stage, you should also be aware of the 'mare ni shika... nai' construction, which uses the 'shika... nai' grammar to create a strong emphasis on the rarity: 'Kono sakana wa mare ni shika torenai' (This fish can only be caught rarely). You should be able to recognize 'mare ni' in literary contexts where it might be used to describe a character's rare emotional outburst or a unique natural phenomenon. Your understanding of the word should also include its na-adjective form '稀な' (mare na), allowing you to describe 'mare na keesu' (rare cases) or 'mare na kikai' (rare opportunities) fluently. Mastery of 'mare ni' at this level means you can accurately convey not just frequency, but also the tone and weight of the information you are presenting.

At the C1 level, your use of '稀に' (mare ni) should reflect a deep understanding of its stylistic and rhetorical functions. You can use it to create contrast in your writing, perhaps pairing it with 'ippanteki ni wa' (generally) to discuss exceptions to a rule. You are also expected to be familiar with more obscure or formal synonyms like 'tokiori' or 'mama' (in certain contexts) and know exactly why 'mare ni' is the superior choice in a given situation. In high-level business or academic Japanese, 'mare ni' serves as a precise tool for qualifying statements. For example, 'Kore wa mare ni miru gijutsu-teki na yakushin de aru' (This is a technical breakthrough rarely seen). You should also be sensitive to the kanji nuances; while '稀' is the standard, you might encounter '希' in specific contexts, and you should understand the historical and linguistic reasons behind this. Furthermore, you can use 'mare ni' to convey subtle irony or sarcasm in sophisticated conversation. Your ability to integrate 'mare ni' into complex, multi-clause sentences while maintaining perfect register and tone is a hallmark of this level. You don't just know what the word means; you know how to use it to influence the listener's perception of the rarity and importance of the event described.

At the C2 level, '稀に' (mare ni) is a word you use with the precision of a native speaker. You understand its etymological roots and its place within the historical development of Japanese adverbs. You can effortlessly switch between 'mare ni,' 'mezurashiku,' 'keu ni,' and other high-level frequency markers to achieve the exact literary or rhetorical effect you desire. Your comprehension of the word extends to its use in classical-style modern Japanese or highly technical legal and scientific documents. You are aware of how 'mare ni' functions in the broader discourse structure—how it can be used to introduce a counter-argument or to soften a definitive statement. In your own writing, you might use 'mare ni' to describe the 'rare' moments of inspiration in an artist's life or the 'rare' alignment of political interests, using the word to add a layer of gravitas and sophistication. You are also fully aware of the social implications of using such a word; you know when it sounds appropriately humble, when it sounds clinical, and when it sounds poetic. For a C2 learner, '稀に' is no longer a vocabulary item to be studied, but a flexible instrument of expression that you play with total mastery, reflecting a deep immersion in the Japanese linguistic and cultural landscape.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

稀に in 30 Seconds

A formal adverb meaning 'rarely' or 'seldom,' used for very low-frequency events.
Differs from 'metta ni' because it is usually paired with affirmative verbs.
Often used in professional, academic, or literary contexts to highlight exceptions.
Can be used as 'mare ni miru' to mean 'extraordinary' or 'rarely seen.'

The Japanese adverb 稀に (まれに - mare ni) is a sophisticated frequency marker that translates to 'rarely,' 'seldom,' or 'on rare occasions' in English. While it shares some conceptual ground with the more common たまに (tamani - occasionally), 稀に carries a much stronger nuance of exceptionality. It suggests that the event in question is not just infrequent, but perhaps surprising or outside the norm of daily life. In the hierarchy of Japanese frequency adverbs, 稀に sits significantly lower than 時々 (tokidoki - sometimes) and even lower than たまに. It is the linguistic equivalent of 'once in a blue moon,' though it is used more broadly in both formal and semi-formal contexts.

Grammatical Function: As an adverb, it typically precedes the verb it modifies. It can also be modified by degree adverbs like ごく (goku - extremely) to create ごく稀に, meaning 'very rarely.'

この地域では、冬に雪が降ることは稀にあります。(In this region, it rarely snows in winter.)

The kanji 稀 is particularly evocative; it consists of the 'grain' radical (禾) and a phonetic component (希), which itself means 'hope' or 'rare/scarce.' This kanji choice emphasizes the scarcity of the occurrence. In modern Japanese, particularly in casual digital communication, you might see it written entirely in hiragana as まれに, but the kanji version remains standard in literature, journalism, and business correspondence. When you use 稀に, you are telling your listener that what you are describing is an outlier. For instance, if you say you go to the gym 稀に, you are implying it's such an unusual event that it might be noteworthy to mention.

Register and Nuance: It is more formal than たまに. In a business report, you would use 稀に to describe a rare system error, whereas in a conversation with friends about eating pizza, たまに is more natural.

その天才的な数学者は、稀に人前に姿を現す。(That genius mathematician rarely appears in public.)

Usage in Science: In medical or scientific texts, 稀に is the standard term for describing infrequent side effects or rare biological phenomena, often quantified as less than 1% or 0.1% frequency.

この薬の副作用として、稀にめまいが起こることがあります。(As a side effect of this medicine, dizziness rarely occurs.)

彼は稀にみる才能の持ち主だ。(He is the possessor of a talent rarely seen.)

富士山がこれほど綺麗に見えるのは、稀にしかないことです。(It is a rare thing to see Mt. Fuji this clearly.)

Understanding 稀に allows you to express a precise degree of frequency that moves beyond the basic 'sometimes' (ときどき) and 'often' (よく). It adds a layer of literary elegance and precision to your Japanese, allowing you to describe events that are truly special or statistically unlikely. Whether you are describing a rare sighting of a shooting star, an infrequent visit from a distant relative, or a rare technical glitch, 稀に provides the exact semantic weight needed to convey the rarity of the moment.

Using 稀に (mare ni) correctly requires an understanding of both its syntactic placement and its semantic pairing. In most Japanese sentences, adverbs are quite flexible, but 稀に most naturally sits before the verb it is modifying or at the very beginning of the clause to set the scene. Unlike めったに (metta ni), which is almost exclusively paired with a negative verb (e.g., めったに食べない - rarely eat), 稀に is typically paired with affirmative verbs. This is a crucial distinction. When you use 稀に, you are focusing on the positive fact that the event *does* happen, even if it is rare.

Sentence Structure 1: Basic Adverbial Use: [Subject] + は/が + [稀に] + [Verb]. This is the most direct way to express frequency. For example: 「母は稀に怒ります」 (My mother rarely gets angry).

彼女は稀に、自分から連絡をくれる。(She rarely initiates contact on her own.)

Another common pattern involves the use of 「稀にしかない」 (mare ni shika nai). This construction uses the 'shika... nai' (nothing but/only) grammar to emphasize that the occurrence is *only* rare and nothing more frequent. This adds a sense of limitation.

Sentence Structure 2: Emphasis with 'Shika': [Noun] + は + [稀にしかない]. For example: 「チャンスは稀にしかない」 (Chances only come rarely).

このような美しい夕焼けは、稀にしか見ることができない。(A sunset this beautiful can only be seen rarely.)

Sentence Structure 3: The 'Mare ni miru' Idiom: [稀にみる] + [Noun]. This is used to describe something extraordinary. For example: 「稀にみる大事件」 (A rarely seen major incident).

彼は稀にみる努力家だ。(He is a hard worker of a kind rarely seen.)

稀に、野生のシカが庭に現れることがあります。(Rarely, wild deer appear in the garden.)

この古い時計は、稀に止まってしまうことがある。(This old clock rarely stops, but it does happen.)

In academic writing, 稀に is often used in the form 「稀ではあるが...」 (Although it is rare...). This allows the writer to acknowledge an outlier while focusing on the main trend. For example: 「稀ではあるが、例外も存在する」 (Although rare, exceptions do exist). Mastering these patterns will help you transition from basic Japanese to a more nuanced, B1-level proficiency where you can describe the frequency of events with greater precision and style.

The presence of 稀に (mare ni) in daily life in Japan varies significantly depending on the environment. While you might not hear it every five minutes in a casual izakaya conversation, it is a staple of professional, academic, and media-related Japanese. If you watch the NHK news, you will frequently hear 稀に used to describe weather patterns, economic shifts, or social phenomena. For example, a meteorologist might say, 「稀にみる大雨」 (A rarely seen heavy rain) to emphasize the severity of a storm.

In the Workplace: In Japanese office culture, precision is valued. If a project manager says a bug occurs 「稀に」, they are signaling that it is not a priority for immediate fixing but should be noted. It sounds more professional and objective than saying 「たまに」, which can feel a bit more subjective or casual.

会議で、社長が稀に冗談を言う。(In meetings, the president rarely tells jokes.)

Literature is another place where 稀に thrives. Authors use it to create a sense of atmosphere or to highlight the unique nature of a character or event. In a novel, describing a character's smile as 稀に indicates that the character is usually stoic or serious, making that smile more impactful to the reader.

In Medical and Legal Contexts: When reading the instruction manual for Japanese medicine (おくすりの説明書), look for the section on 副作用 (fukusayou - side effects). You will almost certainly see 稀に used to categorize risks that are possible but unlikely. Similarly, in legal documents, it describes rare exceptions to general rules.

この種類の蝶は、この森では稀にしか発見されません。(This species of butterfly is only rarely discovered in this forest.)

In Documentary Narrations: The deep-voiced narrators of nature documentaries love this word. It adds a sense of drama to the narrative: 「稀に、捕食者が獲物を逃すこともある」 (Rarely, the predator may lose its prey).

都会の喧騒の中で、稀に静寂が訪れる。(In the hustle and bustle of the city, silence rarely visits.)

その寺院は、稀に一般公開されることがあります。(That temple is rarely opened to the general public.)

彼は稀に、故郷の言葉で話し出す。(He rarely starts speaking in his hometown dialect.)

Even in daily conversation, using 稀に can change the tone of your story. If you tell a friend, 「稀に、あの店で有名人を見かけるよ」 (I rarely see celebrities at that shop), it sounds like a more reliable, observant statement than using 「たまに」. It suggests you've been watching closely and it truly is a rare event. Paying attention to these contexts will help you understand that 稀に is not just a vocabulary word, but a tool for setting the level of formality and the weight of the information you are sharing.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 稀に (mare ni) is confusing it with めったに (metta ni). While both translate to 'rarely' in English, their grammatical requirements are strictly different. めったに MUST be followed by a negative verb (nai-form). If you say 「めったに食べる」, it is grammatically incorrect. Conversely, while 稀に can be used with negative verbs, it is much more commonly used with positive verbs to highlight the rarity of the event that *does* happen.

Mistake 1: The Negative Pairing Confusion: Incorrect: めったに映画を見ます。 (Metta ni eiga o mimasu.)
Correct: 稀に映画を見ます。 (Mare ni eiga o mimasu.)
Explanation: 'Metta ni' requires a negative verb like 'mimasen'. 'Mare ni' works perfectly with 'mimasu'.

間違った使い方：稀にじゃない。(It's not rarely.)
正しい使い方：稀なことではない。(It's not a rare thing.)

Another common error involves the misuse of the particle に. 稀 (mare) is a na-adjective. When you want to modify a noun, you must use 稀な (mare na). Use 稀に (mare ni) only when modifying a verb or an entire sentence. Learners often say 「稀にチャンス」 when they should say 「稀なチャンス」 (a rare chance).

Mistake 2: Confusing 'ni' and 'na': Incorrect: これは稀にケースです。 (Kore wa mare ni keesu desu.)
Correct: これは稀なケースです。 (Kore wa mare na keesu desu.)
Explanation: Use 'na' to describe the noun 'case'. Use 'ni' to describe how often something happens.

Mistake 3: Frequency Miscalculation: If you drink coffee three times a week, you cannot use 稀に. That is 時々. If you drink it once a month, that is たまに. 稀に is for that one time a year you drink it because you're at a special cafe.

彼は稀にしか遅刻しない。(He only rarely arrives late.)

その現象は、十年に一度、稀に起こる。(That phenomenon occurs rarely, once every ten years.)

Lastly, be careful with the kanji. The kanji 稀 is sometimes replaced by 希 in official Joyo kanji lists for some words (like 希望 kibou), but for the adverb mare ni, 稀 is the traditional and most common choice. Using the wrong kanji or forgetting the に particle entirely are small but significant errors that can hinder your clarity. Always remember: Mare is the state, Mare na is the description, and Mare ni is the frequency.

In Japanese, the spectrum of frequency is quite broad, and choosing the right word is essential for sounding natural. 稀に (mare ni) lives on the 'low frequency' end of this spectrum. Let's compare it with its closest neighbors to see where it fits.

たまに (Tamani) vs. 稀に (Mare ni): たまに means 'occasionally.' It is the most common word for things that don't happen every day but aren't exactly 'rare.' 稀に is much less frequent than たまに and carries a more formal tone.

めったに (Metta ni) vs. 稀に (Mare ni): These both mean 'rarely,' but めったに is almost always used with a negative verb (hardly ever). 稀に is used with positive verbs to describe the rare event itself. If you want to say 'I hardly ever go,' use めったに行かない. If you want to say 'On rare occasions, I go,' use 稀に行く.

比較：
1. たまに映画を見る (I occasionally watch movies - maybe once a month).
2. 稀に映画を見る (I rarely watch movies - maybe once a year).

時折 (Tokiori) vs. 稀に (Mare ni): 時折 is a literary and poetic way of saying 'from time to time.' It is similar in frequency to たまに but much more elegant. 稀に is still more infrequent than 時折.

珍しく (Mezurashiku): While 稀に focuses on frequency, 珍しく focuses on the unusual nature of the event. It often implies that something is happening contrary to expectation. For example, 「今日は珍しく早く起きた」 (Unusually, I woke up early today).

彼は稀に自炊をすることがあるが、大抵は外食だ。(He rarely cooks for himself, but usually eats out.)

その島には、稀に渡り鳥がやってくる。(Migratory birds rarely come to that island.)

このソフトは稀にフリーズすることがあるが、基本的には安定している。(This software rarely freezes, but is basically stable.)

By understanding these distinctions, you can navigate the subtle waters of Japanese frequency adverbs. 稀に is your go-to word for anything that is statistically significant due to its rarity, or for when you want to sound precise, formal, or literary. It is the 'rare gem' of the frequency adverb family.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '稀' contains the radical for 'grain' (禾). Historically, this might have referred to crops being sparse or a rare harvest.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ma.re.ni

US ma.re.ni

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. 'Mare ni' is typically pronounced with a flat pitch accent (Heiban).

Rhymes With

Hare ni (in the sunny weather) Kare ni (to him) Sare ni (furthermore) Ware ni (to me) Tare ni (to whom) Mare ni (rarely) Are ni (to that) Ore ni (to me - casual)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 're' like an English 'r' (should be a tapped 'r').
Stretching the 'e' sound too long.
Dropping the 'ni' particle.
Using the wrong pitch accent (rising too high on 'ma').
Mixing up the pronunciation with 'mare da'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji 稀 is not an everyday character for beginners, but the word itself is common in texts.

Writing 4/5

Remembering the stroke order of 稀 can be tricky.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once you know the pitch accent.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to catch in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ときどき (tokidoki) たまに (tamani) よく (yoku) 全然 (zenzen) あまり (amari)

Learn Next

めったに (metta ni) 滅多な (metta na) 時折 (tokiori) 頻繁に (hinpan ni) 絶えず (taezu)

Advanced

稀有 (keu) 稀代 (kidai) 希少 (kishou) 希薄 (kihaku) 希求 (kikyuu)

Grammar to Know

Adverbial 'ni' particle

稀 + に = 稀に (Adverb)

Adjectival 'na' particle

稀 + な = 稀な (Adjective)

Shika... nai (only... not)

稀にしか来ない (Only rarely comes)

Koto ga aru (there are times when...)

稀に怒ることがある (There are times I rarely get angry)

Miru (to see) as a modifier

稀にみる才能 (Talent rarely seen)

Examples by Level

稀に寿司を食べます。

I rarely eat sushi.

Basic adverb + verb pattern.

彼は稀に学校に来ます。

He rarely comes to school.

Subject + adverb + verb.

稀に雨が降ります。

It rarely rains.

Describing weather frequency.

稀にテレビを見ます。

I rarely watch TV.

Simple habit description.

母は稀に料理をします。

My mother rarely cooks.

Describing someone else's habit.

稀にバスに乗ります。

I rarely ride the bus.

Common daily activity.

この店は稀に休みます。

This shop is rarely closed.

Describing shop hours.

稀に本を読みます。

I rarely read books.

Simple activity.

稀に、父が手紙を書いてくれます。

On rare occasions, my father writes me a letter.

Mare ni at the start of a sentence for emphasis.

この公園には、稀に珍しい鳥が来ます。

Rarely, a rare bird comes to this park.

Describing a rare natural occurrence.

稀に、自分でお菓子を作ります。

I rarely make sweets by myself.

Using 'jibun de' (by oneself).

仕事が忙しいので、稀にしか休みがありません。

Since work is busy, I only rarely have days off.

Using 'mare ni shika... nai' for emphasis.

稀に、夜遅くまで起きています。

I am rarely awake until late at night.

Describing a state (te-iru form).

この薬を飲むと、稀に眠くなります。

When I take this medicine, I rarely get sleepy.

Conditional 'to' + mare ni.

稀に、古い友達に会います。

I rarely meet old friends.

Describing social frequency.

稀に、電車が遅れることがあります。

Rarely, the train may be late.

Using 'koto ga aru' to describe possibilities.

稀に見る大雨で、川が氾濫した。

Due to a rarely seen heavy rain, the river overflowed.

Using the set phrase 'mare ni miru' as an adjective.

その作家は稀にしかインタビューに応じない。

That author only rarely agrees to interviews.

Focusing on the restrictive nature using 'shika... nai'.

この現象は、科学的にも稀にしか起こりません。

Scientifically, this phenomenon only occurs rarely.

Formal scientific context.

稀に、システムの不具合が発生することがあります。

Rarely, system malfunctions may occur.

Professional business reporting style.

彼は稀に、非常に鋭い指摘をする。

He rarely makes very sharp observations.

Describing a character trait.

稀に、都会でも星が綺麗に見える夜がある。

Rarely, there are nights when stars can be seen clearly even in the city.

Setting a scene with 'mare ni'.

この地方では、稀に地震が起こります。

In this region, earthquakes rarely occur.

Objective description of frequency.

稀に、自分の考えが間違っていることに気づく。

Rarely, I realize that my own thoughts are wrong.

Introspective usage.

稀にみる才能の持ち主として、彼は注目されている。

As the possessor of a rarely seen talent, he is drawing attention.

Noun phrase modification with 'mare ni miru'.

ごく稀に、予想外の結果が出ることがあります。

Very rarely, unexpected results may occur.

Using 'goku' for extreme emphasis.

稀にではあるが、この規則には例外が認められる。

Although rare, exceptions to this rule are recognized.

Formal conjunction 'mare ni de wa aru ga'.

このような美しい景色は、一生に一度、稀にしか出会えない。

A beautiful view like this can only be encountered rarely, once in a lifetime.

Combining 'isshou ni ichido' with 'mare ni'.

稀に、古い文献の中にその名前が登場する。

Rarely, that name appears in old literature.

Academic/historical context.

このボタンを二回押すと、稀に再起動します。

If you press this button twice, it rarely restarts.

Technical instruction.

稀に、野生動物が人間の居住区に迷い込む。

Rarely, wild animals wander into human residential areas.

Describing environmental issues.

彼の言葉には、稀に深い哲学が感じられる。

In his words, one can rarely feel a deep philosophy.

Abstract usage.

稀にみる経済的混乱の中、政府は新政策を打ち出した。

Amidst rarely seen economic turmoil, the government launched new policies.

Using 'mare ni miru' in a socio-political context.

稀にしか見られない高山植物が、山頂付近に自生している。

Alpine plants that are only rarely seen grow wild near the summit.

Describing biological rarity with 'shika... nai'.

その古い伝統は、稀に一部の地域で受け継がれているに過ぎない。

That old tradition is merely being carried on rarely in some areas.

Combining 'mare ni' with 'ni suginai' (nothing more than).

稀に、天才と狂気は紙一重であると言われることがある。

Rarely, it is said that genius and madness are but a hair's breadth apart.

Philosophical/idiomatic usage.

ごく稀に起こるエラーの特定には、膨大な時間が必要だ。

Identifying errors that occur very rarely requires a vast amount of time.

Noun modification of 'error' using the 'goku mare ni okoru' phrase.

稀に、運命的な出会いが人生を大きく変えることがある。

Rarely, a fateful encounter can significantly change one's life.

Rhetorical/literary usage.

稀にみる快挙に、日本中が沸き立った。

The whole of Japan was excited by the rarely seen brilliant feat.

Journalistic style.

稀に、沈黙が言葉よりも多くを語ることがある。

Rarely, silence speaks more than words.

Abstract literary expression.

稀にみる歴史的転換点において、我々は何をなすべきか。

At a rarely seen historical turning point, what should we do?

High-level rhetorical question.

稀に、言語の壁を超えて心が通じ合う瞬間が訪れる。

Rarely, moments arrive when hearts connect beyond the barriers of language.

Deeply philosophical/humanistic usage.

その建築物は、稀にみる幾何学的な美しさを誇っている。

That building boasts a rarely seen geometrical beauty.

Descriptive aesthetic analysis.

稀にしか観測されない天体現象を、研究チームが捉えた。

The research team captured a celestial phenomenon that is only rarely observed.

Precise scientific reporting.

稀に、権力構造が内部から崩壊することが歴史上繰り返されてきた。

Rarely, it has been repeated in history that power structures collapse from within.

Historical/political analysis.

稀にみる冷夏の影響で、農作物の収穫量が激減した。

Due to a rarely seen cool summer, the crop yield plummeted.

Socio-economic impact description.

稀に、人の善意が冷酷な現実を打ち破ることがある。

Rarely, human goodwill breaks through cold reality.

Literary/moralistic usage.

稀にみる精緻な筆致で描かれたその絵画は、見る者を圧倒する。

That painting, drawn with rarely seen exquisite brushwork, overwhelms the viewer.

Art criticism style.

Common Collocations

稀にみる

ごく稀に

稀にしか...ない

稀にある

稀に発生する

稀に現れる

稀に怒る

稀に聞く

稀に訪れる

稀に見かける

Common Phrases

稀なケース

— A rare case or situation.

これは非常に稀なケースです。

稀にしかないチャンス

— A chance that comes only rarely.

稀にしかないチャンスを逃すな。

稀にみる大成功

— A rarely seen great success.

プロジェクトは稀にみる大成功を収めた。

稀に起こる出来事

— An event that happens rarely.

それは人生で稀に起こる出来事だ。

稀に使う言葉

— A word used rarely.

この単語は稀に使う言葉です。

稀にみる美しさ

— A rarely seen beauty.

その絵画は稀にみる美しさだ。

稀にみる努力

— A rarely seen effort.

彼女は稀にみる努力をした。

稀にみる快挙

— A rarely seen brilliant feat.

彼は稀にみる快挙を成し遂げた。

稀にみる災難

— A rarely seen disaster.

それは稀にみる災難だった。

稀にみる好機

— A rarely seen good opportunity.

稀にみる好機が訪れた。

Often Confused With

稀に vs たまに

Tamani is 'occasionally' (more frequent). Mare ni is 'rarely' (less frequent).

稀に vs めったに

Metta ni must be negative (hardly ever). Mare ni is usually affirmative.

稀に vs 珍しく

Mezurashiku focuses on being 'unusual' rather than just 'rare frequency'.

Idioms & Expressions

"稀にみる"

— Extraordinary; rarely seen.

稀にみる才能だ。

Literary/Formal

"ごく稀に"

— On extremely rare occasions.

ごく稀にエラーが出る。

Formal

"稀にしかない"

— Hardly ever; only rarely.

チャンスは稀にしかない。

Neutral

"稀代の"

— Peerless; once in a generation.

稀代の英雄だ。

Formal/Literary

"稀有の"

— Very rare; unique.

稀有の出来事だ。

Formal

"稀に見る大事件"

— A rarely seen major incident.

稀に見る大事件が起きた。

Journalistic

"稀に見る傑作"

— A rarely seen masterpiece.

これは稀に見る傑作だ。

Artistic

"稀に見る珍客"

— A rarely seen unusual guest.

今日は稀に見る珍客が来た。

Polite

"稀に見る惨状"

— A rarely seen disastrous state.

現場は稀に見る惨状だった。

Formal

"稀に見る名勝負"

— A rarely seen great match.

稀に見る名勝負だった。

Sports

Easily Confused

稀に vs 稀な

Same meaning, different part of speech.

Mare na is an adjective (modifies nouns). Mare ni is an adverb (modifies verbs).

稀なチャンス vs 稀に会う

稀に vs 滅多に

Both translate to 'rarely'.

Metta ni requires a negative verb. Mare ni does not.

めったに行かない vs 稀に行く

稀に vs 時々

Both are frequency adverbs.

Tokidoki is 'sometimes' (regular). Mare ni is 'rarely' (exceptional).

時々行く vs 稀に行く

稀に vs 偶に

Kanji for tamani is sometimes confused with mare.

Tamani (偶に) is more common and casual than Mare ni (稀に).

偶に（たまに）会う vs 稀に（まれに）会う

稀に vs 稀代の

Uses the same kanji.

Kidai no is a pre-noun adjectival meaning 'once in a generation'.

稀代の英雄

Sentence Patterns

稀に [Verb]ます。

稀に寿司を食べます。

稀に、[Sentence]。

稀に、雨が降ります。

稀にしか [Verb]ない。

稀にしか会わない。

稀にみる [Noun]。

稀にみる才能。

ごく稀に [Verb]ることがある。

ごく稀にエラーが起きることがある。

稀ではあるが、[Sentence]。

稀ではあるが、例外もある。

稀にみる[Noun]において、[Sentence]。

稀にみる歴史的転換点において、決断した。

[Noun]は稀にしかない。

チャンスは稀にしかない。

Word Family

Nouns

稀 (mare) - rarity/scarcity

稀有 (keu) - rarity

Adjectives

稀な (mare na) - rare/scarce

希望 (kibou) - hope

希釈 (kishaku) - dilution

希求 (kikyuu) - desire

古稀 (koki) - 70th birthday

希少 (kishou) - scarcity

How to Use It

frequency

Occurs in approximately 0.05% of written Japanese texts, primarily in formal contexts.

Common Mistakes

めったに映画を見ます。 → 稀に映画を見ます。
'Metta ni' must be used with a negative verb. 'Mare ni' is used with affirmative verbs.
これは稀にチャンスです。 → これは稀なチャンスです。
You must use the 'na' form of a na-adjective to modify a noun directly.
稀にに雨が降る。 → 稀に雨が降る。
Do not double the 'ni' particle. 'Mare ni' is already the adverbial form.
私は稀に毎日走る。 → 私は稀に走る。
'Mare ni' (rarely) and 'Mainichi' (every day) are contradictory.
稀にみるの人。 → 稀にみる人。
The phrase 'mare ni miru' already acts as an adjective; do not add 'no'.

Tips

Affirmative Pairing

Always try to pair 'mare ni' with a positive verb to describe the rare occasion something DOES happen.

Professional Tone

Use 'mare ni' in business emails to sound more precise and objective than 'tamani'.

Set Phrase

Memorize 'mare ni miru' as a single unit to describe anything extraordinary.

Particle Check

Remember: 'mare NA' for nouns, 'mare NI' for verbs.

Frequency Scale

Think of 'mare ni' as being at the 5% frequency mark on your mental scale.

NHK News

Listen to weather and economy reports; you'll hear 'mare ni miru' very often there.

Kanji Practice

The kanji 稀 is beautiful and adds a lot of 'flavor' to your writing compared to hiragana.

Softening Statements

Use 'mare ni' to show you are not generalizing, but acknowledging exceptions.

Mare=Rare

Just remember the 'R' and 'M' swap. Mare is Rare.

Humility

Use 'mare ni' to describe your own successes to sound humble and polite.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MARE' as a rare 'MAR-ble' that you only find 'NI' (in) a blue moon.

Visual Association

Imagine a single, glowing blue flower in a vast, empty desert. That flower is 'mare ni' found.

Word Web

Frequency Rarely Exceptional Surprise Formal Scarcity Outlier Unique

Challenge

Try to say three things you do 'mare ni' (rarely) but 'itsumo' (always) wish you did more often.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Japanese word 'mare,' which has been used since the Nara period (8th century) to describe things that are thin, sparse, or infrequent.

Original meaning: Originally referred to things being 'spaced out' or 'thinly spread,' like the weave of a cloth.

Japonic family.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but using it too much in casual conversation can make you sound 'stiff' or 'bookish'.

English speakers use 'rarely' in both casual and formal settings. Japanese 'mare ni' is slightly more formal than 'rarely' might feel.

Used in the title of various Japanese literary works describing rare coincidences. Commonly used in NHK weather reports for 'rare' atmospheric events. Often found in historical dramas (Jidaigeki) when describing a rare hero.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather Reports

稀にみる大雪 (rarely seen heavy snow)
稀に起こる現象 (rarely occurring phenomenon)
稀な気象条件 (rare weather conditions)
稀に観測される (rarely observed)

Business/Technical

稀に発生するエラー (rarely occurring error)
稀なケース (rare case)
稀にしかない機会 (rare opportunity)
稀に不具合が出る (rarely glitches)

Medical

稀に副作用がある (rarely has side effects)
稀な疾患 (rare disease)
稀に見られる症状 (rarely seen symptoms)
稀に回復する (rarely recovers)

Character Description

稀に怒る (rarely gets angry)
稀に笑う (rarely laughs)
稀にみる努力家 (rarely seen hard worker)
稀に冗談を言う (rarely tells jokes)

Nature/Science

稀な植物 (rare plant)
稀に発見される (rarely discovered)
稀な化石 (rare fossil)
稀にみる美しさ (rarely seen beauty)

Conversation Starters

"稀に、何か特別な贅沢をしますか？ (Do you rarely do something special to pamper yourself?)"

"最近、稀にみるような素晴らしい映画を見ましたか？ (Have you seen a rarely seen great movie lately?)"

"稀にしか食べられない、大好きな料理は何ですか？ (What is your favorite food that you can only eat rarely?)"

"あなたの国で、稀にしか見られない景色はどこですか？ (In your country, where is a view that is only rarely seen?)"

"稀に、自分でも驚くような行動をすることがありますか？ (Do you rarely do something that surprises even yourself?)"

Journal Prompts

「稀に」感じる幸せについて書いてください。 (Write about the happiness you 'rarely' feel.)

あなたが「稀にみる才能」を持っていると思う分野は何ですか？ (In what field do you think you have a 'rarely seen talent'?)

最近起きた「稀な出来事」について日記を書いてください。 (Write a diary entry about a 'rare event' that happened recently.)

「稀に」しか会えない大切な人について書いてください。 (Write about an important person you can only 'rarely' meet.)

自分が「稀に」つく嘘について考えてみてください。 (Think about the lies you 'rarely' tell.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can, but it is less common than using it with an affirmative verb. If you want to say you 'rarely don't do something,' it works. However, for 'hardly ever,' 'metta ni' is preferred.

Yes, but usually by characters who are formal, intelligent, or stoic. A very casual character would more likely use 'tamani' or 'metta ni...nai'.

It has the 'grain' radical on the left and the 'hope' character on the right. It has 12 strokes.

'Mare ni' refers strictly to how often something happens (frequency). 'Mezurashiku' refers to how unusual or surprising the event is. You can do something 'mezurashiku' today that you actually do 'yoku' (often) normally.

Yes, you can say 'mare ni miru sainan' (a rarely seen disaster) or 'mare ni miru gousetsu' (rarely seen heavy snow).

No, it is an adverb and needs to modify something. You would say 'mare desu' (it is rare) instead.

Yes, especially in casual contexts or for younger readers, まれに is very common.

'Goku' means 'extremely,' so it means 'extremely rarely' or 'very, very seldom.'

Yes, it typically appears at the N3 or N2 level.

No, you would use 'mare na hito' (a rare person) or 'mare ni miru hito' (a person rarely seen/extraordinary).