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B2 adjective 10 min read

罕见

hanjian

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 罕见 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 罕见 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) yet, but it's helpful to understand what it means. Imagine you see a blue cat. That would be very '罕见' because cats are usually black, white, or brown. In simple terms, '罕见' means 'not many people see this.' At this beginning stage, you can think of it as 'not common' (不常见). If you are talking to a friend, you might say '少见' (shǎojiàn) instead, which is easier to remember. For an A1 learner, just remember that the first part 'hǎn' means 'rare' and the second part 'jiàn' means 'to see.' So, 'hǎnjiàn' is 'rare to see.' You might see this word in a picture book about rare animals like pandas. Even though pandas are rare, we don't usually use this big word in A1 speaking. We just say 'there are not many' (很少). But if you see it in a title of a news video, you will know it's about something special and unusual. For example, if it snows in a place that is always hot, the news will use this word. It's like saying 'Wow, look at this! This almost never happens!' Keep it simple: 罕见 = very, very rare. Focus on recognizing the characters first. The character '见' is one you already know from '再见' (goodbye). The character '罕' is new, but it looks like a little net at the top. Think of catching a very rare bird in a net. That's a good way to remember it!

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe the world around you in more detail. You might know words like '经常' (often) and '很少' (seldom). '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) is a step up from '很少.' While '很少' is used for actions (like 'I seldom eat apples'), '罕见' is used to describe things or events (like 'a rare flower'). As an A2 learner, you can start to recognize this word in simple news headlines or weather reports. For instance, if there is a very big storm that only happens once every ten years, the report might say '罕见的大雨' (rare heavy rain). You should try to understand that '罕见' is more formal than '少见.' If you are describing a hobby, you wouldn't use '罕见.' But if you are doing a small presentation about your country and you want to talk about a special animal that is hard to find, using '罕见' will make your Chinese sound much better. A good rule for A2 is: use '很少' for what people do, and use '罕见' for what exists in nature or history that is hard to see. You can also use it to describe people with 'rare talents,' but for now, stick to describing nature and objects. It will help you move from basic sentences to more descriptive ones. Remember the structure: '罕见的' + [Noun]. This is the easiest way to use it correctly without making grammar mistakes.

By the B1 level, you should be able to use '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) in your writing and speaking when discussing formal topics. This is the stage where you distinguish between 'rare' (罕见), 'scarce' (稀少), and 'precious' (难得). You are likely reading more complex texts, such as blogs or news articles, where '罕见' appears frequently. At this level, you should know that '罕见' is an adjective and can be modified by adverbs like '非常' (very) or '极其' (extremely). You can use it to talk about social phenomena or medical conditions. For example, if you are discussing the history of your city, you might mention a '罕见的地震' (rare earthquake). You are also expected to understand that '罕见' is a neutral word; it doesn't necessarily mean something is good or bad, just that it is uncommon. When you write an essay, instead of saying '这个东西不常见' (This thing is not common), you can say '这种现象在当地十分罕见' (This phenomenon is quite rare in the local area). This shows you have a better grasp of formal vocabulary. You should also be careful not to use it for food (like rare steak) or personal habits. At B1, you are building the foundation for professional communication, and '罕见' is a key word for reporting facts and observations accurately. Practice using it in the predicative position: [Subject] + [很/非常] + 罕见. This will help you sound more natural when giving opinions on news or scientific facts.

At the B2 level, which is the level of this word, you are expected to use '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) with precision and understand its nuances compared to synonyms. You should be comfortable using it in both its attributive (罕见的...) and predicative (...很罕见) forms. At this stage, you should recognize that '罕见' is the standard term in professional fields like medicine (罕见病), meteorology (罕见的气候), and art (罕见的真迹). You should also understand the difference between '罕见' and '稀有' (xīyǒu). While '罕见' focuses on the frequency of observation, '稀有' focuses on the quantity of existence. For example, a species might be '稀有' (few in number), but a specific behavior of that species might be '罕见' (seldom seen). You should also be able to use '罕见' in more abstract ways, such as describing a '罕见的机遇' (a rare opportunity) or a '罕见的团结' (a rare unity). Your ability to use '罕见' correctly in a formal debate or a business report is a hallmark of the B2 level. You should also be aware of its collocations, such as '罕见的规模' (rare scale) or '罕见的深度' (rare depth). At this level, you are not just learning the word; you are learning the 'register' of the word. You know that using '罕见' in a casual chat about a rare sneaker might be a bit too formal, and you would choose '少见' or '限量版' (limited edition) instead. This level of linguistic awareness is what defines a B2 learner.

For C1 learners, '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) is a word you should not only know but also be able to contrast with even more literary or specialized terms like '鲜见' (xiǎnjiàn) or '凤毛麟角' (fèng máo lín jiǎo). At the C1 level, you are exploring the stylistic uses of the word. You might use '罕见' to create a specific tone in a literary analysis or a high-level political commentary. You should be able to recognize its use in classical-style modern prose, where it might be used to emphasize the historical weight of a moment. For example, '这是历史上罕见的政治博弈' (This is a political gambit rare in history). You should also be able to discuss the socio-economic implications of things labeled as '罕见,' such as the '罕见病用药' (drugs for rare diseases) and the ethical debates surrounding their cost. At this level, you are expected to understand the word in idiomatic contexts and be able to use it to describe complex human emotions or rare intellectual achievements. You might encounter '罕见' in legal documents or high-level academic papers where precision is paramount. You should also be able to identify when '罕见' is being used rhetorically to exaggerate a point. A C1 learner should have a 'feel' for the word that goes beyond a dictionary definition; they should understand its 'gravity.' When you use '罕见,' you are making a claim about the statistical and historical status of an event, and you should be prepared to back that claim up with evidence. This word becomes a tool for sophisticated argumentation and precise description.

At the C2 level, '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) is part of a vast arsenal of vocabulary that you use with native-like intuition. You understand the subtle prosody of the word—how it fits into the rhythm of a formal speech or a piece of elegant writing. You can distinguish the slight difference in 'flavor' between '罕见,' '罕有,' and '鲜见.' You might use '罕见' to describe the '罕见的和谐' (rare harmony) in a piece of music or the '罕见的穿透力' (rare piercing power) of a philosopher's insight. At this level, you can also appreciate the word's role in the evolution of the Chinese language, from its roots in ancient texts to its modern ubiquity in scientific discourse. You are likely to encounter '罕见' in the most challenging materials, such as philosophical treatises, high-level government white papers, or avant-garde literature. You understand how the word functions in various dialects and how its usage might differ slightly in Mainland China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong (though it is generally consistent). For a C2 learner, '罕见' is no longer a 'new word' to be studied, but a familiar friend that you can deploy with perfect timing and context. You might even use it ironically in a very sophisticated conversation to highlight how something 'common' is being treated as 'rare.' Your mastery is shown by your ability to move seamlessly between this formal term and more colorful idioms, choosing '罕见' when you need objective authority and '绝无仅有' when you need dramatic emphasis.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

罕见 in 30 Seconds

罕见 (hǎnjiàn) means 'rare' or 'seldom seen' and is used for events, objects, or traits that are highly unusual.
It is a formal word, most common in news, science, and academic writing rather than casual daily speech.
Commonly used phrases include '罕见病' (rare disease) and '罕见的现象' (rare phenomenon).
Never use it to describe a 'rare steak'; use '三分熟' (sān fēn shú) instead for food doneness.

The Chinese term 罕见 (hǎnjiàn) is a sophisticated adjective that serves as a cornerstone for describing rarity in formal, academic, and journalistic contexts. At its core, the word is composed of two characters: 罕 (hǎn), which historically referred to a net used for catching birds but evolved to mean 'scant' or 'rare,' and 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see' or 'to encounter.' When synthesized, they literally translate to 'rarely seen.' This term is not merely a synonym for 'infrequent'; it carries a weight of significance, often implying that the event or object in question is so unusual that it warrants special attention, study, or documentation. In the modern Chinese lexicon, you will encounter 罕见 most frequently when reading about astronomical phenomena, such as a total solar eclipse or a passing comet, or in medical literature discussing 'orphan diseases' (罕见病). It bridges the gap between simple everyday language and high-level academic discourse, making it an essential tool for any learner reaching the Upper Intermediate (CEFR B2) level.

Statistical Rarity: In scientific contexts, 罕见 describes occurrences that fall far outside the standard deviation of normal events. For example, a 'once-in-a-century' flood is consistently described as 罕见.
Visual Rarity: It refers to things that are physically present but seldom witnessed by the human eye, such as the behavior of deep-sea creatures or the blooming of a rare desert flower.
Historical Uniqueness: When a political event or a social shift occurs that has no precedent in the last several decades, historians will label it a 罕见 occurrence to emphasize its gravity.

这是一次罕见的天文奇观，五十年才能见到一次。(This is a rare astronomical wonder that can only be seen once every fifty years.)

这种动物在野外非常罕见，因为它们的栖息地正在消失。(This animal is very rare in the wild because their habitat is disappearing.)

他在会议上的愤怒表现是极其罕见的。(His display of anger at the meeting was extremely rare.)

由于气候变化，这种罕见的极端天气变得越来越频繁。(Due to climate change, this rare extreme weather is becoming more frequent.)

这本古书的完整版本在市场上十分罕见。(The complete version of this ancient book is quite rare on the market.)

Furthermore, the word 罕见 carries a neutral to slightly positive connotation when describing wonders or skills, but it can be neutral to negative when describing diseases or disasters. For instance, a '罕见的天才' (rare genius) is a high compliment, whereas a '罕见的错误' (rare mistake) highlights the unusual nature of a failure. Understanding this word requires grasping the balance between its literal meaning of 'scarcity' and its contextual application of 'significance.' In a world of commonalities, 罕见 points to the exceptions that define our understanding of the extraordinary.

Mastering the sentence structures for 罕见 (hǎnjiàn) involves understanding its dual role as both an attributive modifier and a predicative adjective. Unlike some Chinese adjectives that require specific particles to function, 罕见 is quite versatile but follows strict formal patterns. The most common structure is 罕见的 + [Noun]. In this configuration, the word acts as a direct modifier, setting the stage for the rarity of the object. For example, '罕见的矿石' (a rare mineral) or '罕见的人才' (a rare talent). The second major structure is [Subject] + [Adverb of Degree] + 罕见. This is used to describe the state or nature of the subject. For instance, '这种病在亚洲非常罕见' (This disease is very rare in Asia). Notice how the adverb '非常' (very) or '极其' (extremely) almost always accompanies 罕见 to emphasize the degree of rarity, as rarity itself is a relative concept.

The Attributive Pattern: Structure: [罕见的] + [Noun]. Use this when you want to highlight the rarity as a defining characteristic of the noun. Example: '罕见的机遇' (A rare opportunity).
The Predicative Pattern: Structure: [Subject] + [很/非常/极其] + [罕见]. Use this to state a fact about the subject's frequency. Example: '这种降雪量在南方很罕见' (This amount of snowfall is very rare in the South).
The Comparative Pattern: Structure: [A] 比 [B] 更 [罕见]. Use this to compare the rarity of two items. Example: '这种钻石比黄金更罕见' (This kind of diamond is rarer than gold).

科学家们发现了一种罕见的植物物种。(Scientists discovered a rare plant species.)

这种大规模的抗议活动在那个国家是罕见的。(Protests of this scale are rare in that country.)

他拥有罕见的毅力和决心。(He possesses rare perseverance and determination.)

这幅画是那位艺术家罕见的早年作品之一。(This painting is one of the artist's rare early works.)

在干旱地区看到彩虹是比较罕见的。(Seeing a rainbow in an arid region is relatively rare.)

When writing, remember that 罕见 is a formal word. If you are describing a rare Pokemon in a casual conversation, you might say '少见' (shǎojiàn) or '很难抓' (hard to catch). However, if you are writing a report on biodiversity, 罕见 is the only appropriate choice. It elevates the tone of your sentence, signaling to the reader that you are discussing something of objective scarcity. In summary, use the attributive form for classification and the predicative form for description, always keeping the formal register in mind.

In the daily life of a Chinese speaker, 罕见 (hǎnjiàn) is a word that rings with the authority of the newsroom and the precision of the laboratory. You will rarely hear it shouted in a crowded wet market or used in a casual joke among friends. Instead, it is the language of the 'News Broadcast' (新闻联播), the 'Scientific Journal' (科学期刊), and the 'Business Report' (商业报告). When a news anchor announces a '罕见的高温天气' (rare high-temperature weather), the use of this word immediately communicates a sense of urgency and historical significance. It tells the audience that what they are experiencing is not just a hot day, but a meteorological anomaly that might break records. Similarly, in the world of medicine, '罕见病' (rare diseases) is the official technical term used by the government and healthcare providers to categorize conditions that affect a small percentage of the population.

News Media: Used to describe record-breaking events, diplomatic breakthroughs, or major scandals that are unprecedented.
Academic & Scientific Discourse: Used to describe rare species, chemical reactions that seldom occur, or unique geological formations.
Art and Auction Houses: Used to describe the rarity of antiques, first-edition books, or paintings that have not been seen in public for decades.

新闻报道称，这是一场百年罕见的大雪。(News reports say this is a heavy snow rare in a hundred years.)

在这次拍卖会上，出现了一件极其罕见的青花瓷。(An extremely rare blue and white porcelain appeared at this auction.)

医生说，这种过敏反应在临床上非常罕见。(The doctor said this allergic reaction is very rare clinically.)

Beyond formal media, you might hear this word in documentaries (like those narrated by the Chinese equivalent of David Attenborough) when describing a predator's successful hunt or a rare natural event. It is also used in high-level business negotiations to describe a '罕见的让步' (rare concession), indicating that the party making the concession is doing something extraordinary and expects significant reciprocation. To hear 罕见 is to be alerted that the normal rules or frequencies of life have been temporarily suspended. It is the linguistic signal for 'pay attention; this doesn't happen often.'

While 罕见 (hǎnjiàn) is a powerful word, its misuse is a common pitfall for English speakers who translate the word 'rare' too literally. The most frequent error occurs in the context of food. In English, we use 'rare' to describe the doneness of a steak. However, calling a steak '罕见' in Chinese is a linguistic blunder that will likely result in a confused waiter. For food, the term is 三分熟 (sān fēn shú). Another common mistake is using 罕见 for simple frequency in time where 很少 (hěn shǎo) or 不常 (bù cháng) would be more appropriate. For example, if you don't go to the cinema often, you wouldn't say your visits are '罕见'; you would simply say '我不常去电影院'. 罕见 is reserved for things that are rare by nature or by historical record, not just things you personally don't do often.

The 'Steak' Mistake: English: 'I want a rare steak.' Incorrect Chinese: '我要一个罕见的牛排.' Correct Chinese: '我要一份三分熟的牛排.'
Personal Habits vs. Objective Rarity: Incorrect: '我罕见地吃早饭.' Correct: '我很少吃早饭.' (I rarely eat breakfast). Use 罕见 only if your eating breakfast is a historic event for the world.
Confusing with 'Strange' (奇特): Sometimes learners use 罕见 when they mean something looks weird or strange. 罕见 is about frequency, while 奇特 (qítè) or 奇怪 (qíguài) is about appearance or nature.

错误：他罕见地迟到了。(Error: He is rarely late - grammatically okay but sounds too dramatic for a simple late arrival.)

改进：他很少迟到。(Better: He is seldom late.)

Another nuance to watch out for is the difference between 罕见 and 稀有 (xīyǒu). While they overlap, 稀有 is almost always used for physical resources or species that are limited in quantity (like '稀有金属' - rare metals). 罕见 is more about the event of seeing or encountering something. If a species is endangered, it is 稀有; if you actually spot one in the city, that sighting is 罕见. By avoiding these common errors, you will sound much more like a native speaker who understands the subtle textures of the Chinese language.

To truly master the concept of 'rarity' in Chinese, you must be able to distinguish 罕见 (hǎnjiàn) from its close relatives. Each word in this family has a specific 'flavor' and is used in distinct contexts. For instance, while 罕见 is formal and objective, 少见 (shǎojiàn) is its more casual cousin. You would use 少见 when chatting with a neighbor about an unusually large vegetable in their garden. On the other end of the spectrum, 绝无仅有 (jué wú jǐn yǒu) is an idiom used to describe something that is absolutely unique—the only one of its kind in the world. Understanding these differences allows you to choose the exact level of intensity required for your communication.

罕见 vs. 少见 (shǎojiàn): 罕见 is formal, often used in news and science. 少见 is colloquial and used in daily conversation. Example: '罕见的疾病' vs. '这种天气真少见'.
罕见 vs. 稀有 (xīyǒu): 罕见 emphasizes the low frequency of an occurrence. 稀有 emphasizes the limited quantity of a resource or species. Example: '罕见的现象' vs. '稀有矿产'.
罕见 vs. 难得 (nándé): 难得 carries a positive emotional weight, meaning 'rare and hard to come by, therefore precious.' Example: '难得的机会' (A precious opportunity).
罕见 vs. 奇特 (qítè): 奇特 means 'peculiar' or 'unusual in form.' Something can be 奇特 but common, or 罕见 but normal-looking. Example: '奇特的服装' (Strange clothing).

这是一种稀有的金属，但在这种岩石中发现它并不罕见。(This is a rare metal, but finding it in this type of rock is not rare.)

In academic writing, you might also see 鲜见 (xiǎnjiàn), which is even more formal than 罕见 and is almost exclusively used in written literature to mean 'seldom seen.' For learners, the key is to start with 少见 for daily life and graduate to 罕见 for professional or academic settings. By building this 'rarity vocabulary,' you can express not just that something is uncommon, but exactly how and why it is uncommon.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient texts like the 'Shujing' (Book of Documents), '罕' was used to describe the rare appearance of auspicious birds, which were seen as omens of good governance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /hǎn.tɕjɛ̂n/

US /hǎn.tɕjɛ̂n/

In Chinese, both characters are stressed, but the fourth tone on 'jiàn' often sounds more emphatic in a sentence.

Rhymes With

产 (chǎn) 满 (mǎn) 短 (duǎn) 面 (miàn) 片 (piàn) 电 (diàn) 现 (xiàn) 念 (niàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'hǎn' as first tone (hān).
Pronouncing 'jiàn' as second tone (jián).
Confusing the nasal 'an' in 'han' with 'ang'.
Making the 'j' in 'jian' too hard (like the English 'j' in 'judge').
Failing to drop the tone sharply on 'jiàn'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The character '罕' is not common in beginner texts, making it harder to recognize initially.

Writing 5/5

Writing '罕' requires precision with the top radical and the bottom part.

Speaking 3/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once the tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Clear tones make it easy to identify in formal speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

看 (kàn) 见 (jiàn) 少 (shǎo) 常 (cháng) 特别 (tèbié)

Learn Next

稀有 (xīyǒu) 珍贵 (zhēnguì) 独特 (dútè) 奇特 (qítè) 频繁 (pínfán)

Advanced

凤毛麟角 (fèng máo lín jiǎo) 绝无仅有 (jué wú jǐn yǒu) 鲜见 (xiǎnjiàn) 寥寥无几 (liáoliáo wú jǐ)

Grammar to Know

Adjectives as predicates

这种植物很罕见。

Attributive 'de' (的)

这是一个罕见的例子。

Adverbs of degree (非常, 极其)

极其罕见的现象。

Adverbial 'de' (地)

他罕见地保持了沉默。

Comparison with 'bi' (比)

这种病比感冒罕见得多。

Examples by Level

这种花很不常见。

This kind of flower is not very common.

A1 learners use '不常见' instead of '罕见'.

那是少见的鸟。

That is a rare bird.

A1 learners use '少见' for simple rarity.

我很少看到他。

I seldom see him.

Use '很少' for frequency of actions.

这里不常下雪。

It doesn't often snow here.

Use '不常' for frequency of natural events.

这种颜色很少见。

This color is rarely seen.

Simple use of '少见' to describe a noun.

我没有见过这种鱼。

I haven't seen this kind of fish.

Using '没有见过' to imply rarity.

它是特别的动物。

It is a special animal.

Using '特别' (special) for rare things.

这种事不常发生。

This kind of thing doesn't happen often.

Using '不常发生' to describe frequency.

这种极光在南方很罕见。

This kind of aurora is very rare in the south.

A2 introduction to '罕见' in weather contexts.

他是一个罕见的天才。

He is a rare genius.

Using '罕见' as an attributive adjective.

这种罕见的疾病很难治。

This rare disease is hard to treat.

Introduction to the common collocation '罕见病'.

这是一本罕见的古书。

This is a rare ancient book.

Using '罕见' to describe objects.

在沙漠里看到水是罕见的。

It is rare to see water in the desert.

Using '罕见' in a predicative structure.

这种矿石非常罕见。

This mineral is very rare.

Adding an adverb '非常' for emphasis.

他罕见地发了脾气。

He rarely lost his temper (this time).

Using '罕见地' as an adverbial modifier.

这是一次罕见的机遇。

This is a rare opportunity.

Using '罕见' to describe an abstract noun.

这种大规模的日食是十分罕见的。

This large-scale solar eclipse is extremely rare.

Using '十分' to modify '罕见' in a formal context.

他在那个领域的成就是罕见的。

His achievements in that field are rare.

B1 level abstract description of success.

这种动物在野外已经变得非常罕见。

This animal has become very rare in the wild.

Using '变得' to show a change in frequency.

这是一场罕见的政治危机。

This is a rare political crisis.

Applying '罕见' to news and social events.

这种材料具有罕见的坚固性。

This material has rare strength.

Using '罕见' to describe a specific property.

在那个时代，这种思想是罕见的。

In that era, this kind of thought was rare.

Describing rarity in a historical context.

他拥有罕见的音乐天赋。

He possesses rare musical talent.

Collocation: '罕见的' + '天赋'.

这次罕见的合作引起了媒体的关注。

This rare cooperation attracted media attention.

Using '罕见' to describe a social interaction.

这种罕见的气候现象是由全球变暖引起的。

This rare climate phenomenon is caused by global warming.

B2 level scientific explanation using '罕见'.

该地区的生物多样性呈现出罕见的丰富性。

The biodiversity of the region shows a rare richness.

Using academic terms like '生物多样性' with '罕见'.

这种药物专门用于治疗某种罕见病。

This drug is specifically used to treat a certain rare disease.

Using the official term '罕见病'.

两家竞争对手之间的合作是极其罕见的。

Cooperation between two competitors is extremely rare.

Using '极其' for high-level emphasis.

他展现出了罕见的冷静，成功化解了危机。

He showed rare calmness and successfully resolved the crisis.

Using '罕见' to describe psychological traits.

这件文物的完整程度在考古界是罕见的。

The completeness of this artifact is rare in the field of archaeology.

Using '罕见' in an academic/professional domain.

这种罕见的金融波动让投资者感到不安。

This rare financial fluctuation made investors feel uneasy.

Applying '罕见' to economic contexts.

他那罕见的幽默感总是能让气氛活跃起来。

His rare sense of humor always livens up the atmosphere.

Describing a unique personality trait.

在当今物欲横流的社会，这种高尚的品德愈发罕见。

In today's materialistic society, this noble character is becoming increasingly rare.

C1 level social commentary using '愈发' (increasingly).

这篇论文对该罕见现象进行了深入的剖析。

This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of this rare phenomenon.

Using '罕见' in a formal academic research context.

这种罕见的法律案例为后来的判决提供了参考。

This rare legal case provided a reference for later judgments.

Legal context: '罕见的法律案例'.

这种罕见的艺术风格融合了东西方的精髓。

This rare artistic style blends the essence of East and West.

Describing sophisticated cultural synthesis.

他在政坛的快速崛起是近几十年罕见的现象。

His rapid rise in politics is a phenomenon rare in recent decades.

Historical/Political analysis at the C1 level.

这种罕见的基因突变引起了遗传学家的极大兴趣。

This rare genetic mutation has piqued the great interest of geneticists.

Scientific precision: '罕见的基因突变'.

尽管证据罕见，他依然坚持自己的科学假设。

Despite the rarity of evidence, he still stuck to his scientific hypothesis.

Using '罕见' in a concessive clause.

这种罕见的文化认同感在移民群体中非常重要。

This rare sense of cultural identity is very important among immigrant groups.

Sociological context: '罕见的文化认同感'.

该作品以罕见的笔触描绘了人性的复杂与幽暗。

The work depicts the complexity and darkness of human nature with rare brushstrokes.

C2 literary criticism using '罕见'.

在这一罕见的博弈中，各方势力都表现得异常谨慎。

In this rare game/gambit, all parties acted with exceptional caution.

Using '博弈' (game theory/gambit) in a formal context.

这种罕见的语言孤岛为语言演化研究提供了宝贵素材。

This rare language island provides valuable material for the study of language evolution.

Linguistic technical term: '语言孤岛' (language island).

他那罕见的洞察力使他能够预见到市场的微小波动。

His rare insight enabled him to foresee minor market fluctuations.

Abstract intellectual quality: '罕见的洞察力'.

这种罕见的史料发现，彻底推翻了之前的学术定论。

The discovery of this rare historical material completely overturned previous academic conclusions.

Historical/Academic breakthrough description.

在那个动荡的年代，罕见的和平时期显得弥足珍贵。

In those turbulent years, a rare period of peace seemed extremely precious.

Evocative literary use of '罕见' and '弥足珍贵'.

这种罕见的审美旨趣，并非一般大众所能轻易理解。

This rare aesthetic taste is not something the general public can easily understand.

Sophisticated vocabulary: '审美旨趣' (aesthetic taste/purport).

该政策在执行过程中遇到了罕见的阻力。

The policy encountered rare resistance during its implementation.

Formal administrative description of opposition.

Synonyms

稀有少见珍奇独特

Antonyms

常见普遍

Common Collocations

罕见病

罕见现象

罕见的天才

罕见的机遇

罕见高温

罕见真迹

罕见物种

极其罕见

罕见深度

罕见规模

Common Phrases

罕见地

— Used as an adverb to describe doing something in a rare manner. Usually implies a deviation from normal behavior.

他今天罕见地没有迟到。

百年罕见

— Rare in a hundred years. Used for extreme weather or historic events.

这是百年罕见的特大洪水。

并不罕见

— Not rare. Used to clarify that something people think is rare is actually common.

这种错误在初学者中并不罕见。

实属罕见

— Truly rare. A formal way to emphasize that something is indeed very unusual.

他的这种行为在现代社会实属罕见。

罕见品种

— A rare variety or breed. Used for plants, animals, or even products.

这种罕见品种的玫瑰非常贵。

罕见名画

— A rare famous painting. Used in art circles.

他在拍卖行买到了一幅罕见名画。

罕见奇观

— A rare wonder. Used for natural or man-made sights.

北极光是自然界的一种罕见奇观。

罕见案例

— A rare case. Used in law, medicine, or business.

这是一个值得研究的罕见案例。

罕见殊荣

— A rare honor. Used when someone receives a very special award.

获得诺贝尔奖是一项罕见殊荣。

罕见一见

— Rare to see once. Often used to describe things that are hard to encounter.

这种美景真是罕见一见。

Often Confused With

罕见 vs 少见

少见 is colloquial; 罕见 is formal. Use 罕见 for scientific or historic rarity.

罕见 vs 稀有

稀有 refers to limited quantity (e.g., rare metals); 罕见 refers to low frequency of being seen.

罕见 vs 罕闻

罕闻 means 'seldom heard,' whereas 罕见 means 'seldom seen.'

Idioms & Expressions

"凤毛麟角"

— Literally 'phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.' Describes something extremely rare and precious.

像他这样的人才在当今社会已经是凤毛麟角了。

Literary/Formal

"不可多得"

— Hard to come by. Used for talents or opportunities that are very rare.

这是一部不可多得的好电影。

Neutral/Formal

"千载难逢"

— Happening only once in a thousand years. Used for extremely rare opportunities.

这是一个千载难逢的好机会，你一定要抓住。

Idiomatic/Formal

"绝无仅有"

— The only one of its kind; unique.

这件艺术品在世界上是绝无仅有的。

Formal

"寥寥无几"

— Very few; can be counted on one's fingers.

参加这次会议的专家寥寥无几。

Neutral/Formal

"百年不遇"

— Not encountered in a hundred years. Similar to '罕见' for disasters.

这是一场百年不遇的大旱。

Formal/Journalistic

"举世罕见"

— Rare in the whole world.

中国的长城是举世罕见的建筑奇迹。

Formal/Grand

"鲜为人知"

— Rarely known by people. Focuses on the lack of public knowledge.

他有一段鲜为人知的过去。

Formal

"史无前例"

— Unprecedented in history.

这次科技革命是史无前例的。

Formal

"屈指可数"

— Can be counted on the fingers; very few.

国内顶尖的物理学家屈指可数。

Neutral/Formal

Easily Confused

罕见 vs 稀罕

Sounds similar and shares the same first character.

稀罕 (xīhan) is a verb meaning 'to care about' or an adjective for 'rare' in a colloquial, sometimes sarcastic way. 罕见 is a formal adjective for objective rarity.

我才不稀罕你的钱！(I don't care about your money!) vs. 这种现象很罕见。

罕见 vs 奇特

Both describe things out of the ordinary.

奇特 (qítè) means strange, peculiar, or unique in appearance. Something can be 奇特 but common. 罕见 strictly means low frequency.

这种植物的长相很奇特。(This plant looks very strange.)

罕见 vs 难得

Both translate to 'rare' in English.

难得 (nándé) implies 'rare and precious' or 'hard to achieve.' It has a positive emotional tone. 罕见 is objective and neutral.

这是一次难得的机会。(This is a precious opportunity.)

罕见 vs 稀少

Both imply low numbers.

稀少 (xīshǎo) is used for density or quantity (e.g., population, hair). 罕见 is for the event of seeing something.

这里的居民非常稀少。(The residents here are very few.)

罕见 vs 独特

Uniqueness is related to rarity.

独特 (dútè) means 'unique' or 'having a special style.' It doesn't necessarily mean there is only one, just that it is different from others.

他的设计风格很独特。(His design style is unique.)

Sentence Patterns

A 是罕见的 B。

日全食是罕见的天文现象。

A 在 B 方面非常罕见。

这种病在亚洲人中非常罕见。

A 表现出罕见的 B。

他表现出罕见的冷静。

A 这种罕见的 B，引起了 C 的关注。

这种罕见的文化习俗，引起了人类学家的关注。

尽管 A，但 B 依然罕见。

尽管科技发达，但纯手工制品依然罕见。

A 堪称 B 史上罕见的 C。

这次政变堪称该国史上罕见的动荡。

以罕见的 A，完成了 B。

他以罕见的毅力，完成了这项艰巨的任务。

A 罕见地做某事。

他今天罕见地早到了。

Word Family

Nouns

罕见病 (Rare disease)

罕见物 (Rare thing/object)

Adjectives

罕见 (Rare)

罕有 (Rare - more formal)

稀罕 (xīhan) - to cherish or something rare (informal)

希罕 (xīhan) - variant of 稀罕

少见 (shǎojiàn) - rarely seen (common)

罕闻 (hǎnwén) - rarely heard

罕用 (hǎnyòng) - rarely used

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news and academic writing; rare in casual spoken dialogue.

Common Mistakes

我要一个罕见的牛排。 → 我要一份三分熟的牛排。
Rare steak is '三分熟.' '罕见' is not used for food doneness.
我罕见地去电影院。 → 我很少去电影院。
Use '很少' for personal frequency. '罕见地' implies the action itself is a historic anomaly.
这种金属很罕见。 → 这种金属很稀有。
While '罕见' is okay, '稀有' is the standard term for limited physical resources like metals.
他长得很罕见。 → 他长得很奇特。
If someone looks strange, use '奇特.' '罕见' means you don't see them often, which sounds weird in this context.
这是一个罕见的机会。 → 这是一个难得的机会。
'罕见' is okay, but '难得' is more idiomatic and adds a positive 'precious' feeling to the opportunity.

Tips

Formal Contexts

Always choose '罕见' over '少见' when writing an academic paper or a business report. It shows a higher level of vocabulary mastery.

Collocation

Memorize '罕见病' as a single unit. It is the most common way you will hear this word in modern news.

Emphasis

Use '极其罕见' (extremely rare) to emphasize that something is truly one-of-a-kind. It's a very common and natural-sounding phrase.

Not for Food

Never use '罕见' for steak. This is the #1 mistake English speakers make. Use '三分熟' instead.

Adverbial Form

Use '罕见地' to describe someone doing something they almost never do. Example: '他今天罕见地穿了正装' (He unusually wore formal clothes today).

Synonym Choice

Use '稀有' for metals and animals, but '罕见' for weather and events. This distinction is key for B2 learners.

News Keywords

When you see '罕见' in a headline, expect the story to be about a record-breaking event or a scientific discovery.

Prestige

In marketing, '罕见' is used to make products sound exclusive. Look for it in luxury car or watch advertisements.

Fourth Tone

Make sure to hit the fourth tone on 'jiàn' clearly. If you say it with a flat tone, it might be misunderstood.

Net and Eye

Remember the 'net' radical in '罕' and the 'eye' in '见'. A net catching something you rarely see with your eye.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a hunter with a net (罕) who finally SEES (见) a legendary bird. This event is very 'hǎnjiàn' (rarely seen).

Visual Association

Visualize a bright blue panda. That is a '罕见' sight. The character '罕' looks like it has a net over a dry field (干), suggesting nothing grows there—it's rare.

Word Web

罕见 (Rare) 罕见病 (Rare Disease) 极其罕见 (Extremely Rare) 罕见的机遇 (Rare Opportunity) 罕见现象 (Rare Phenomenon) 百年罕见 (Rare in 100 years) 罕见物种 (Rare Species) 少见 (Seldom Seen)

Challenge

Write three sentences using '罕见' to describe: 1. A weather event, 2. A talented friend, 3. A rare item you own.

Word Origin

The character '罕' (hǎn) originally depicted a net used for catching birds (at the top is the 'net' radical 罒). It implied that things caught in such a net were small or few. The character '见' (jiàn) is the simplified form of '見', showing an eye (目) on top of legs (儿), meaning 'to see.'

Original meaning: Originally, '罕' meant a specific type of hunting net. It later extended to mean 'scant' or 'not frequent.'

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

When discussing '罕见病' (rare diseases), use the term respectfully as it is the official medical designation.

English speakers often use 'rare' for steak or personal habits, which doesn't translate to '罕见'.

The 'Rare Earth Elements' (罕见土元素/稀土元素) in global trade. Scientific reports on 'Rare Geological Events' in the Himalayas. Art reviews of 'Rare Calligraphy' (罕见书法) by Wang Xizhi.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical Science

罕见病 (rare disease)
罕见病例 (rare case)
罕见基因 (rare gene)
临床罕见 (clinically rare)

Meteorology

罕见高温 (rare high temperature)
罕见暴雪 (rare blizzard)
罕见天象 (rare celestial event)
罕见干旱 (rare drought)

Art & Antiques

罕见真迹 (rare original work)
罕见版本 (rare edition)
罕见藏品 (rare collection)
罕见工艺 (rare craftsmanship)

Human Talents

罕见天才 (rare genius)
罕见毅力 (rare perseverance)
罕见嗓音 (rare voice)
罕见胆识 (rare courage)

Economic News

罕见波动 (rare fluctuation)
罕见涨幅 (rare increase)
罕见崩盘 (rare crash)
罕见现象 (rare phenomenon)

Conversation Starters

"你最近在新闻里看到过什么罕见的自然现象吗？"

"你觉得在现代社会，什么样的人格品质是最罕见的？"

"你见过最罕见的动物是什么？"

"如果你发现了一种罕见的矿石，你会怎么处理它？"

"你认为获得诺贝尔奖是一种罕见的殊荣吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你亲眼见过的罕见美景，当时你有什么感受？

写一写你认为自己拥有的某种罕见的天赋或品质。

如果某种罕见病影响了你的家人，你会如何寻找相关的支持和信息？

讨论一下为什么在现在的社交媒体时代，‘罕见’的东西反而变得越来越容易被看到。

想象你发现了一个罕见的古董，写一个关于它背后的秘密的故事。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, definitely not. In Chinese, a rare steak is called '三分熟' (sān fēn shú). '罕见' is reserved for things that are rarely seen or occur infrequently in nature or history. Using '罕见' for food will confuse native speakers.

The main difference is the level of formality. '少见' (shǎojiàn) is common in daily conversation (e.g., 'That bird is rare'). '罕见' (hǎnjiàn) is formal and used in news, science, or literature (e.g., 'A rare genetic mutation').

It is generally neutral. It simply states that something is rare. However, it can be positive (罕见的天才 - rare genius) or negative (罕见的疾病 - rare disease) depending on the noun it modifies.

The official term is '罕见病' (hǎnjiàn bìng). This is used by doctors, the government, and the media to describe medical conditions that affect a small number of people.

Yes, by adding '地' (de). '罕见地' means 'unusually' or 'rarely.' For example, '他罕见地准时到了' (He arrived on time, which is rare for him).

Yes, but usually to describe their talents, qualities, or achievements (e.g., 罕见的人才). It is not used to describe their physical appearance unless you are talking about a rare biological trait.

The most common antonym is '常见' (chángjiàn), which means 'common' or 'frequently seen.' For example, '感冒是很常见的疾病' (The cold is a very common disease).

No. For personal habits or frequency of actions, use '很少' (hěnshǎo) or '不常' (bùcháng). '罕见' is an adjective for nouns or states, not a frequency adverb for actions.

It literally means 'rare in a hundred years.' It is a common journalistic phrase used to describe extreme weather events like floods, droughts, or snowstorms that are record-breaking.

The character '罕' appears in ancient texts, but the compound '罕见' became much more common in later periods. Ancient Chinese often used single characters like '罕' or '鲜' to mean rare.