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A2 adjective 9 min read

희귀하다

huigwihada
Examples
Explanation 희귀하다 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of '희귀하다' as a special word for 'very hard to find'. While you usually learn simple words like '많아요' (there are many) or '없어요' (there are none), '희귀하다' is used when something is very special because there are only a few in the whole world. For example, if you see a flower that only grows in one place, that is a '희귀한 꽃'. You might hear this in simple stories about animals or nature. It is an adjective, so you can use it like '희귀해요' at the end of a sentence. Even at this level, knowing this word helps you describe things that are more than just 'pretty' or 'good'—they are 'rare'. Just remember: don't use it for food like steak! Use it for things like animals, plants, or old things in a museum. It is a good way to start learning Chinese-based words (Hanja) because '희' means 'rare' and '귀' means 'precious'.
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At the A2 level, you should start using '희귀하다' to describe specific objects and animals. You will likely encounter this word in reading passages about nature or hobbies like collecting. You should practice the modifier form '희귀한' + [Noun]. For example, '희귀한 동물' (rare animal) or '희귀한 우표' (rare stamp). At this level, it is important to distinguish '희귀하다' from '드물다'. While both can mean rare, '희귀하다' is better for things you can see or touch that are limited in number. You can also use it to express that an opportunity is special: '이것은 희귀한 기회입니다' (This is a rare opportunity). You might also see it in the context of '희귀병' (rare disease) in simple news or health articles. Practice conjugating it into the past tense '희귀했어요' to talk about things that used to be hard to find but are common now, like certain fruits or technologies.
At the B1 level, you can begin to use '희귀하다' in more abstract and professional contexts. You should be comfortable using it in discussions about environmental issues (endangered species) or medical topics. You will also notice the noun form '희귀성' (rarity) appearing in more complex texts. At this level, you should understand the nuance that '희귀하다' implies value. If you describe someone's blood type as '희귀한 혈액형', you are acknowledging that it is both uncommon and important for medical reasons. You can also use it in social situations to describe rare sightings of people or events with a bit of a formal tone. It is useful for writing essays about why certain artifacts should be protected—because they are '희귀하기 때문에' (because they are rare). You should also be able to compare it with '흔하다' (common) to create contrast in your speaking and writing.
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At the B2 level, '희귀하다' becomes a tool for precise description in academic and social commentary. You should be able to use it to discuss economic scarcity (though '희소성' is more common in technical economics, '희귀하다' is used in general discussion). You will encounter this word in literature and news reports regarding '희귀 자료' (rare materials/documents). At this level, you should understand how to use the word to describe rare talents or historical events with appropriate gravitas. You might also use the word to discuss the '희귀성' of a certain phenomenon in a scientific report. You should be able to handle complex sentence structures like '희귀하면 희귀할수록 가치가 올라간다' (The rarer it is, the more the value increases). This level requires you to understand the social and cultural implications of rarity in Korean society, such as the obsession with '희귀 아이템' in gaming and fashion.
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At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the Hanja roots 稀 (희) and 貴 (귀) and how they influence the word's usage across various disciplines. You will use '희귀하다' in highly formal settings, such as academic lectures, legal discussions regarding rare heritage items, or medical research. You should be able to distinguish it from similar high-level terms like '진귀하다' (rare and precious/exotic) and '희소하다' (economically scarce). In writing, you might use '희귀하다' to describe the unique qualities of a rare dialect or a vanishing cultural practice. You should also be able to recognize it in classical-style modern literature where it might be used to describe rare human virtues or fleeting moments of beauty. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight—it is not a word used lightly at this level, but one that denotes significant scientific, historical, or cultural worth.
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At the C2 level, '희귀하다' is part of a sophisticated vocabulary used for nuanced analysis. You might explore the philosophical implications of '희귀함' (rarity) in modern existence, discussing how the digital age affects our perception of what is rare. You will encounter the word in high-level archival research, where '희귀본' refers to incunabula or unique manuscripts. You should be able to use the word in complex metaphorical ways, perhaps describing a '희귀한 기상 현상' (rare meteorological phenomenon) in a technical paper or a '희귀한 도덕적 성품' (rare moral character) in a philosophical essay. At this level, you are expected to understand the subtle shifts in meaning when '희귀' is combined with other Hanja to form professional terminology. Your mastery allows you to use the word with perfect register, whether you are giving a formal speech at a museum opening or writing a critique on the commercialization of rare goods.
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Examples

The Korean word 희귀하다 (Higu-hada) is a sophisticated adjective used to describe things that are not just uncommon, but specifically rare and often precious. To understand its full weight, we look at its Hanja roots: 稀 (희) meaning 'sparse' or 'thin,' and 貴 (귀) meaning 'noble' or 'precious.' Therefore, when something is described as 희귀하다, it suggests that its scarcity contributes to its high value or significance. You wouldn't use this word for a common occurrence that just happens to be missing today; you use it for things that are inherently hard to find in the world.

Environmental Context
This word is the standard term for endangered or rare species. When a biologist finds a bird that hasn't been seen in decades, they describe it as a '희귀 조류' (rare bird). It carries a sense of wonder and scientific importance.

이 숲에는 아주 희귀한 식물들이 살고 있습니다. (Very rare plants live in this forest.)

Medical and Scientific Usage
In medicine, '희귀 질환' (rare diseases) refers to conditions that affect a very small percentage of the population. Here, the word is used clinically to categorize the frequency of the condition.

Culturally, Koreans value items that are '희귀'. In the world of collecting, whether it be Pokémon cards, vintage coins, or limited edition sneakers, '희귀템' (a slang portmanteau of 희귀 and item) is a common phrase. It implies that the item is a trophy or a treasure. When using this word, you are signaling to the listener that the subject is special because of its limited existence. It is often paired with adverbs like '매우' (very), '극히' (extremely), or '정말' (really) to emphasize just how hard the object is to encounter.

그는 세계에서 가장 희귀한 우표를 수집했다. (He collected the rarest stamp in the world.)

Social Context
It can also describe talents or opportunities. A '희귀한 재능' (rare talent) suggests someone with a gift that appears once in a generation. It is highly complimentary and formal.

이런 기회는 정말 희귀하니까 꼭 잡아야 해요. (Since this kind of opportunity is really rare, you must grab it.)

In summary, '희귀하다' is your go-to word for anything that belongs in a collection, a biology textbook, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It elevates the subject by highlighting its scarcity as a form of value. Whether you are talking about a rare blood type (희귀 혈액형) or a rare astronomical event, this word provides the necessary gravitas to convey just how special the situation is.

Using 희귀하다 correctly requires understanding its role as a descriptive verb (adjective) in Korean grammar. Unlike English, where 'rare' is purely an adjective, Korean adjectives function like verbs, meaning they can end a sentence on their own. You can use it in two primary ways: as a modifier before a noun or as a predicate at the end of a sentence.

As a Noun Modifier
To describe a noun, you change '희귀하다' to '희귀한'. For example, '희귀한 보석' (a rare gem). This is the most common way to use the word in descriptive writing and everyday conversation.

박물관에서 희귀한 유물을 보았습니다. (I saw rare artifacts at the museum.)

As a Sentence Predicate
When ending a sentence, you conjugate it based on the politeness level. In polite speech, it becomes '희귀해요'. In formal settings, it becomes '희귀합니다'. This is used to state the fact that something is rare.

이런 종류의 나비는 한국에서 매우 희귀합니다. (This kind of butterfly is very rare in Korea.)

When discussing rarity in the past, you use '희귀했다'. For example, if a certain resource was rare in the past but is common now, you might say, '예전에는 설탕이 아주 희귀했다' (In the past, sugar was very rare). This helps contrast historical scarcity with modern abundance. In conditional sentences, you use '희귀하면' (if it is rare). For instance, '희귀하면 가격이 비싸집니다' (If it is rare, the price becomes expensive).

그 책은 너무 희귀해서 찾기가 힘들어요. (That book is so rare that it's hard to find.)

Negative Forms
To say something is 'not rare', you can say '희귀하지 않다'. However, it is much more natural to use the antonym '흔하다' (common). Instead of saying '이 꽃은 희귀하지 않아요', Koreans usually say '이 꽃은 흔해요'.

요즘은 그런 물건이 전혀 희귀하지 않아요. (These days, such items are not rare at all.)

Finally, consider the honorific form. If you are talking about something belonging to someone highly respected, though the object itself doesn't need 'honorifics', you might use a more formal sentence structure. However, '희귀하다' itself remains the core adjective. In academic papers, you will see the noun form '희귀성' (rarity) used frequently: '이 자료의 희귀성은 학술적으로 가치가 높다' (The rarity of this material has high academic value).

You will encounter 희귀하다 in several specific domains of Korean life. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word immediately when you hear it on the news or in a documentary.

1. Nature Documentaries and News
News anchors often report on '희귀 동식물' (rare animals and plants) found in the DMZ or remote mountains. When a rare whale is spotted off the coast of Busan, the news will use '희귀하다' to emphasize the importance of the sighting.

지리산에서 희귀한 흰 사슴이 발견되었습니다. (A rare white deer was discovered on Jirisan Mountain.)

2. Medical Dramas and Reports
The phrase '희귀병' (rare disease) is very common in medical contexts. If a character in a K-drama has a mysterious illness that doctors struggle to diagnose, they will likely refer to it as a '희귀한 병'. This creates a sense of urgency and difficulty in the plot.
3. Gaming and Collecting Culture
If you watch Korean YouTubers (BJ or Creators) opening 'gacha' boxes or trading cards, you'll hear '희귀' constantly. They might shout '희귀 카드!' when they pull a rare card. In online games like MapleStory or Lineage, '희귀 등급' (rare grade) is a specific tier of item quality.

드디어 희귀 아이템을 획득했어요! (I finally obtained a rare item!)

4. Auctions and Art Galleries
When an old painting or a first-edition book is being sold, the appraiser will use '희귀하다' to justify the high price. Phrases like '희귀본' (rare edition) or '희귀 유물' (rare artifact) are standard in these high-end professional settings.

이것은 조선 시대의 아주 희귀한 백자입니다. (This is a very rare white porcelain from the Joseon Dynasty.)

In everyday speech, you might hear a friend use it jokingly or with exaggeration. If someone sees a person who rarely goes out (a homebody) at a party, they might say, '와, 너를 여기서 보다니 정말 희귀한 광경이다!' (Wow, seeing you here is a truly rare sight!). This shows how the word has moved from formal Hanja roots into expressive, modern conversational Korean.

While 희귀하다 is a useful word, English speakers often make specific errors when translating 'rare' into Korean. Because English uses 'rare' for many different situations, you must be careful not to apply '희귀하다' where it doesn't fit.

Mistake 1: Ordering a Steak
In English, you order a steak 'rare'. In Korean, you should NEVER use '희귀하다' for meat. If you say '희귀한 스테이크', the waiter will think you are looking for a legendary piece of meat from a mythical creature. Instead, use the loanword '레어' (rare) or '살짝 익힌'.

❌ 스테이크를 희귀하게 구워 주세요.
✅ 스테이크를 레어로 구워 주세요.

Mistake 2: Confusing with '드물다'
'드물다' also means 'rare' or 'uncommon', but it focuses on frequency (how often something happens). '희귀하다' focuses on existence (how many of something exist). For example, if it rarely rains, use '드물다'. If a flower is rare, use '희귀하다'. Using '희귀하다' for weather patterns sounds slightly unnatural.
Mistake 3: Confusing with '희소하다'
In economics, '희소하다' (scarcity) is used. While similar, '희소하다' implies that demand exceeds supply. '희귀하다' just means there aren't many of them. If you are talking about the scarcity of resources in a business context, '희소성' is the correct academic term.

자원의 희소성 때문에 가격이 오릅니다. (Prices rise due to the scarcity of resources.)

Mistake 4: Using for 'Strange'
Sometimes learners use '희귀하다' when they mean 'weird' or 'strange'. If someone is acting odd, do not say they are '희귀하다'. Use '이상하다' (strange) or '특이하다' (unique/peculiar). '희귀하다' should be reserved for things that have a positive or neutral value due to their scarcity.

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you will avoid the awkwardness of calling your lunch a 'legendary artifact' or describing a rainy day as a 'precious biological discovery'. Focus on the 'Museum/Science' aspect of the word, and you will use it like a native speaker.

Korean has several words for 'rare' or 'uncommon,' and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. Here is a comparison of 희귀하다 with its closest synonyms.

희귀하다 vs 드물다
희귀하다: Emphasizes the rarity of existence and often implies value (Rare animals, rare books).
드물다: Emphasizes that something doesn't happen often (Rare occurrences, rare visits). It is more common in everyday speech for time-based rarity.

요즘은 눈이 오는 날이 드물어요. (Snowy days are rare/uncommon lately.)

희귀하다 vs 진귀하다
진귀하다 (珍貴): Means 'rare and precious.' While '희귀' focuses on the number, '진귀' focuses more on the 'preciousness' and 'treasure-like' quality. You use this for exotic foods or royal treasures.

왕의 생일 파티에서 진귀한 음식을 먹었습니다. (We ate rare and precious food at the King's birthday party.)

희귀하다 vs 희소하다
희소하다 (稀少): This is the academic/economic term for scarcity. It describes a situation where things are few in number relative to demand. You will see this in textbooks about economics or natural resources.
희귀하다 vs 특이하다
특이하다 (特異): Means 'unique' or 'peculiar.' Something can be '특이' (unusual in appearance) without being '희귀' (rare in number). For example, a person's fashion might be '특이' but not '희귀'.

In conclusion, use 희귀하다 when you want to sound slightly more formal and emphasize that something is hard to find in terms of physical existence. Use 드물다 for events, 진귀하다 for treasures, and 희소하다 for economics. Mastering these subtle differences will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

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Examples by Level

1

이것은 희귀한 꽃이에요.

This is a rare flower.

희귀한 (modifier) + 꽃 (noun)

2

그 동물은 정말 희귀해요.

That animal is really rare.

희귀해요 (polite present tense)

3

희귀한 새를 봤어요.

I saw a rare bird.

희귀한 (modifier) + 새 (noun)

4

이 책은 희귀합니까?

Is this book rare?

희귀합니까 (formal question)

5

우리 집에는 희귀한 돌이 있어요.

There is a rare stone in our house.

희귀한 (modifier) + 돌 (noun)

6

희귀한 나비가 날아가요.

A rare butterfly is flying.

희귀한 (modifier) + 나비 (noun)

7

그것은 희귀하지 않아요.

That is not rare.

희귀하지 않다 (negative form)

8

희귀한 동물을 보호해요.

Let's protect rare animals.

희귀한 (modifier) + 동물 (noun)

1

이 우표는 아주 희귀한 것입니다.

This stamp is a very rare one.

희귀한 (modifier) + 것 (thing)

2

박물관에서 희귀한 유물을 봤어요.

I saw rare artifacts at the museum.

희귀한 (modifier) + 유물 (artifact)

3

그는 희귀한 병을 고쳤어요.

He cured a rare disease.

희귀한 (modifier) + 병 (disease)

4

이런 기회는 정말 희귀해요.

This kind of opportunity is really rare.

희귀해요 (polite present tense)

5

희귀한 식물을 키우는 것이 취미예요.

My hobby is growing rare plants.

희귀한 (modifier) + 식물 (plant)

6

그 영화는 희귀한 장면이 많아요.

That movie has many rare scenes.

희귀한 (modifier) + 장면 (scene)

7

희귀한 동전 십 원을 찾았어요.

I found a rare 10-won coin.

희귀한 (modifier) + 동전 (coin)

8

이 숲은 희귀한 나무들로 가득해요.

This forest is full of rare trees.

희귀한 (modifier) + 나무 (tree)

1

희귀 혈액형을 가진 사람을 찾고 있습니다.

We are looking for someone with a rare blood type.

희귀 (noun used as prefix) + 혈액형 (blood type)

2

이 자료는 역사적으로 매우 희귀하다.

This material is historically very rare.

희귀하다 (plain style statement)

3

희귀 질환에 대한 연구가 필요합니다.

Research on rare diseases is necessary.

희귀 (prefix) + 질환 (disease)

4

그 섬에는 희귀한 곤충들이 서식한다.

Rare insects inhabit that island.

서식한다 (inhabit) + 희귀한 곤충 (rare insects)

5

희귀한 재능을 가진 아이들이 많아요.

There are many children with rare talents.

희귀한 (modifier) + 재능 (talent)

6

그 책의 희귀성 때문에 가격이 비싸요.

The price is high because of the book's rarity.

희귀성 (rarity - noun form)

7

희귀한 자연 현상을 관찰했어요.

I observed a rare natural phenomenon.

희귀한 (modifier) + 자연 현상 (natural phenomenon)

8

이것은 전 세계적으로 희귀한 사례입니다.

This is a globally rare case.

전 세계적으로 (globally) + 희귀한 사례 (rare case)

1

희귀 금속의 가격이 급격히 상승하고 있다.

The price of rare metals is rising sharply.

희귀 금속 (rare metal)

2

이 도서관은 희귀본을 많이 소장하고 있다.

This library houses many rare editions.

소장하고 있다 (to possess/house)

3

희귀 야생 동물을 보호하기 위한 법이 제정되었다.

A law was enacted to protect rare wild animals.

제정되었다 (was enacted)

4

그의 연주는 희귀한 예술적 가치를 지닌다.

His performance possesses rare artistic value.

지닌다 (to possess/carry)

5

희귀 질환 치료제 개발에 박차를 가하고 있다.

They are accelerating the development of treatments for rare diseases.

박차를 가하다 (to accelerate/spur)

6

이런 희귀한 광경은 평생 한 번 보기 힘들다.

It's hard to see such a rare sight once in a lifetime.

보기 힘들다 (hard to see)

7

희귀한 식물 표본을 수집하는 학자들이 모였다.

Scholars who collect rare plant specimens gathered.

표본 (specimen)

8

희귀한 유전적 특징이 발견되어 학계가 놀랐다.

The academic world was surprised by the discovery of a rare genetic trait.

학계 (academic world)

1

해당 문헌의 희귀성은 사료적 가치를 뒷받침한다.

The rarity of the document supports its historical value.

뒷받침한다 (supports/underpins)

2

희귀 질환에 대한 사회적 인식을 개선해야 한다.

Social awareness of rare diseases must be improved.

인식을 개선해야 한다 (must improve awareness)

3

이 지역은 희귀 조류의 주요 번식지이다.

This area is a major breeding ground for rare birds.

번식지 (breeding ground)

4

희귀한 고서적을 복원하는 작업은 매우 정밀해야 한다.

The task of restoring rare old books must be very precise.

복원하는 작업 (restoration work)

5

희귀한 광물이 매장된 지역을 탐사하고 있다.

They are exploring areas where rare minerals are buried.

매장된 (buried/deposited)

6

희귀한 기상 이변이 농작물에 큰 피해를 주었다.

Rare extreme weather events caused great damage to crops.

기상 이변 (extreme weather/climatic anomaly)

7

희귀한 언어를 사용하는 부족의 문화를 연구한다.

They study the culture of tribes that use rare languages.

희귀한 언어 (rare language)

8

희귀한 수집품의 경매가가 예상치를 훨씬 웃돌았다.

The auction price of the rare collectible far exceeded expectations.

웃돌았다 (exceeded/surpassed)

1

희귀 질환 국가 관리 체계의 구축이 시급한 실정이다.

The establishment of a national management system for rare diseases is an urgent situation.

시급한 실정이다 (is an urgent situation)

2

희귀한 생태계의 보존은 인류의 보편적 책무이다.

The preservation of rare ecosystems is a universal duty of mankind.

보편적 책무 (universal duty)

3

희귀한 사료를 통해 당시의 시대상을 재조명한다.

The era's characteristics are re-examined through rare historical records.

재조명한다 (re-examines/sheds light on again)

4

희귀한 유전 변이가 진화 과정에 미치는 영향을 분석한다.

Analyzing the impact of rare genetic mutations on the evolutionary process.

미치는 영향 (impact/influence)

5

희귀한 예술적 영감은 치열한 고뇌 끝에 찾아온다.

Rare artistic inspiration comes after intense agony.

치열한 고뇌 (intense agony/anguish)

6

희귀한 천체 현상을 관측하기 위해 전 세계 천문학자들이 결집했다.

Astronomers from around the world gathered to observe a rare celestial phenomenon.

결집했다 (gathered/converged)

7

희귀한 사회적 현상을 담론화하여 정책에 반영한다.

Rare social phenomena are brought into discourse and reflected in policy.

담론화하여 (bringing into discourse)

8

희귀한 고전의 현대적 해석은 문학적 지평을 넓힌다.

Modern interpretation of rare classics broadens the literary horizon.

문학적 지평 (literary horizon)

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This Word in Other Languages

稀な Japanese 可遇不可求 Chinese
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