稀少 in 30 Seconds
- 稀少 (xīshǎo) is a formal adjective meaning 'rare', 'scarce', or 'sparse'. It describes things that are few in number or spread out over a large area.
- It is commonly used for population (人口稀少), resources (资源稀少), and physical traits like hair (头发稀少) or air (空气稀少).
- Unlike the basic '少', it is more descriptive and formal, often used in news, textbooks, and scientific reports to describe low density.
- It differs from '稀有' (precious rare) and '罕见' (seldom seen) by focusing specifically on the small quantity or the thinness of distribution.
The Chinese word 稀少 (xīshǎo) is a versatile adjective primarily used to describe things that are few in number, infrequent in occurrence, or spread thinly across a space. At its core, it combines the character 稀 (xī), which originally referred to loosely woven cloth or thin porridge, with 少 (shǎo), meaning 'few' or 'little'. Together, they create a nuanced term that goes beyond a simple count; it implies a state of scarcity or sparseness that is often notable or characteristic of a specific environment or situation.
- Spatial Sparseness
- When describing physical geography or demographics, 稀少 indicates that objects or people are not densely packed. For example, '人口稀少' (sparsely populated) is a standard phrase used to describe deserts, high-altitude plateaus, or remote wilderness areas where the distance between inhabitants is vast.
在这片广阔的沙漠中，植被非常稀少。 (In this vast desert, vegetation is very scarce.)
- Numerical Scarcity
- This term is also applied to rare items or infrequent events. If a certain species of bird is rarely seen, or if a specific historical artifact is one of only a few remaining, 稀少 is the appropriate descriptor. It carries a slightly more formal tone than the basic '少', making it suitable for scientific, academic, or descriptive writing.
In a modern context, you might encounter this word when discussing resources or social phenomena. For instance, '机会稀少' (scarce opportunities) highlights a competitive or difficult environment. Unlike its synonym '罕见' (hǎnjiàn), which focuses on the 'rarely seen' aspect, 稀少 emphasizes the 'low quantity' or 'thin distribution'.
由于天气寒冷，街上的行人十分稀少。 (Due to the cold weather, pedestrians on the street are very few.)
- Atmospheric and Physical States
- Interestingly, 稀少 can describe physical properties like hair or air. '头发稀少' (thinning hair) and '空气稀少' (thin air at high altitudes) are common collocations. Here, the word conveys a sense of 'thinness' or 'lack of density' rather than just a count of individual units.
高原地带空气稀少，呼吸变得困难。 (The air is thin in the highland areas, making breathing difficult.)
Understanding the register of 稀少 is crucial for natural sounding Chinese. It is an objective, descriptive word. It doesn't necessarily imply a negative or positive value judgment, though in many contexts (like 'resources' or 'opportunities'), scarcity is perceived as a challenge. In ecological contexts, it is often a neutral scientific observation of biodiversity or population density.
这种草药在野外已经非常稀少了。 (This herbal medicine has become very scarce in the wild.)
深夜的火车站，乘客寥寥，灯光下显得格外稀少。 (In the late-night train station, passengers were few, appearing especially sparse under the lights.)
Using 稀少 correctly requires understanding its role as a stative verb/adjective. In Chinese grammar, it often follows an adverb of degree like '非常' (fēicháng - very), '十分' (shífēn - extremely), or '比较' (bǐjiào - relatively). It is rarely used before a noun without a linker like '的', but its most common position is at the end of a descriptive clause.
- Describing Population Density
- The most frequent use case for 稀少 is in demographics. You will see it in textbooks and news reports to describe areas with low human presence. Sentence structure: [Place] + [Subject] + [Adverb] + 稀少.
加拿大北部地区人口稀少。 (The northern parts of Canada are sparsely populated.)
- Describing Natural Resources
- When talking about water in a desert or minerals in a specific region, 稀少 emphasizes the lack of availability. Sentence structure: [Subject] + [Adverb] + 稀少.
这个地区的降雨量极其稀少。 (Rainfall in this region is extremely scarce.)
Another common pattern involves the word order [Adjective] + [Noun]. While 稀少 is usually a predicate, it can function as an attributive adjective with '的'. For example: '稀少的资源' (scarce resources) or '稀少的人群' (a sparse crowd). This usage is more common in formal writing than in daily conversation.
保护这些稀少的野生动物是我们的责任。 (It is our responsibility to protect these rare wild animals.)
- Describing Time and Frequency
- While '少' is used for general frequency, 稀少 is used when the occurrences are so spread out that they feel thin. For example, '稀少的来往' (infrequent contact/visits).
退休后，他与外界的联系变得非常稀少。 (After retirement, his contact with the outside world became very infrequent.)
In literary contexts, 稀少 can set a mood of loneliness or desolation. When a writer describes a '稀少的星光' (sparse starlight), they aren't just giving a count; they are painting a picture of a dark, vast sky where the stars are lonely points of light. This evocative use is a hallmark of upper-intermediate and advanced Chinese literature.
山顶上只有几棵稀少的小松树。 (There are only a few sparse small pine trees on the mountain top.)
随着技术的进步，这种手工活已经越来越稀少了。 (With technological progress, this kind of manual labor has become increasingly rare.)
While 稀少 is a CEFR A2 word, it is most frequently encountered in formal or descriptive contexts rather than casual daily chit-chat. In everyday conversation, people often stick to the simpler '少' (shǎo) or '没多少' (méi duōshǎo). However, in specific professional and media environments, 稀少 is the standard term.
- News and Documentaries
- If you watch CCTV news or a nature documentary (like 'Wild China'), you will hear 稀少 used to describe endangered species, rainfall patterns, or the distribution of natural resources. It provides a level of precision and formality that '少' lacks.
新闻报道：该地区由于连年干旱，水源异常稀少。 (News report: Due to consecutive years of drought, water sources in this region are exceptionally scarce.)
- Academic and Scientific Writing
- In geography, biology, or sociology papers, 稀少 is the preferred term for low density. A researcher wouldn't say 'the people are few'; they would say 'the population is 稀少'. This is an important distinction for students aiming for professional proficiency.
In travel literature or guidebooks, 稀少 is used to set the scene for remote destinations. It evokes a sense of peace, isolation, or the 'untouched' nature of a place. Descriptions of the Tibetan Plateau or the Gobi Desert almost always use this word to describe both the people and the vegetation.
旅游指南：这里游客稀少，是寻求宁静的理想之地。 (Travel guide: Tourists here are few and far between, making it an ideal place for seeking tranquility.)
- Historical Contexts
- When historians discuss ancient records or archaeological finds, they use 稀少 to describe the limited evidence or the small number of artifacts recovered from a certain era.
关于这段历史的文字记载非常稀少。 (Written records regarding this period of history are very scarce.)
Finally, you might hear it in medical or health contexts. A doctor might describe a patient's hair as 稀少 if it is thinning due to age or illness. While '少' would also work, 稀少 sounds more like a clinical observation. Similarly, '稀少的血液' might refer to a rare blood type in a medical database context.
他年纪轻轻就头发稀少，这让他很苦恼。 (He has thin hair at a young age, which bothers him a lot.)
这种罕见病在人口中的比例极其稀少。 (The proportion of this rare disease in the population is extremely small.)
Learning 稀少 involves navigating its boundaries with several similar words. The most common mistake for English speakers is using it as a direct substitute for 'few' in every context. Here are the specific pitfalls to avoid.
- Mistake 1: Confusing 稀少 with 很少 (hěn shǎo)
- While both mean 'few', 很少 is much more common in daily speech and focuses on the quantity itself. 稀少 is more descriptive and focuses on the state of being sparse or scarce. You can say '我有很少朋友' (Incorrect: should be 我朋友很少), but you almost never say '我朋友稀少' unless you are writing a poem or a formal self-reflection.
Incorrect: 教室里有稀少的学生。 (Better: 教室里的学生很少。)
- Mistake 2: Confusing 稀少 with 稀有 (xīyǒu)
- 稀有 specifically means 'rare' in the sense of 'precious' or 'uncommon'. Gold is 稀有, a rare blood type is 稀有. 稀少 is more about the physical quantity or density. While they overlap, 稀有 has a stronger connotation of value and uniqueness.
Another error involves using 稀少 in comparative structures. In English, we can say 'Rain is scarcer this year than last year.' In Chinese, you cannot use 稀少 in a '比' (bǐ) comparison directly like this. Instead, you would use '比去年更少' (fewer than last year).
Incorrect: 这里的树比那里稀少。 (Better: 这里的树比那里更稀疏/更少。)
- Mistake 3: Misapplying '稀少' to Time
- If you want to say someone 'rarely' does something (frequency), use '很少' or '罕见', not 稀少. 稀少 describes the *state* of the quantity, not the frequency of an action. For example, 'He rarely eats meat' should be '他很少吃肉', never '他稀少吃肉'.
Incorrect: 他稀少去电影院。 (Correct: 他很少去电影院。)
Lastly, learners sometimes forget that 稀少 often implies a vast space. If you have two apples on a small plate, they are '少'. If you have two people in a massive stadium, the crowd is '稀少'. Using 稀少 in a small, cramped context can sound strange to native speakers.
Incorrect: 盘子里的菜很稀少。 (Better: 盘子里的菜很少。)
这种错误的出现频率非常稀少。 (The frequency of this error is very rare - Note: '低' or '少' is often better for frequency, but '稀少' can work in formal writing.)
To truly master 稀少, you must see how it sits within a family of related terms. Each word has a specific 'flavor' and context where it shines.
- 稀少 vs. 罕见 (hǎnjiàn)
- '罕见' literally means 'rarely seen'. Use it for unusual events, weird weather, or rare diseases. '稀少' is about the quantity. You can have a 稀少 species that is 罕见 in the city but common in the mountains.
这种天文现象极其罕见。 (This astronomical phenomenon is extremely rare/seldom seen.)
- 稀少 vs. 稀疏 (xīshū)
- '稀疏' specifically refers to things that are spaced far apart. It is used for hair, trees, stars, or a beard. While '稀少' can also mean sparse, '稀疏' is more visual and physical. You would say '稀疏的头发' to describe the look of the hair, but '头发稀少' to describe the overall lack of hair.
他的胡须非常稀疏。 (His beard is very sparse/thin.)
- 稀少 vs. 稀缺 (xīquē)
- '稀缺' combines 'rare' with 'lack/shortage'. It is almost always used for resources, talent, or goods in an economic context. If something is 稀缺, it means there isn't enough of it to meet demand. '稀少' is a neutral description of quantity; '稀缺' implies a problem or a market condition.
在战争时期，粮食非常稀缺。 (During wartime, food is very scarce/in short supply.)
- 稀少 vs. 寥寥无几 (liáoliáo wújǐ)
- This is an idiom (chengyu) meaning 'very few; tiny amount'. It is more emphatic and literary than 稀少. Use it when you want to highlight that the number is so small it's almost zero.
响应者寥寥无几。 (There were very few respondents.)
In summary, choose '稀少' for general scarceness and low density, '罕见' for things that are rarely seen, '稀疏' for things with large gaps, and '稀缺' for economic shortages. By choosing the right word, you demonstrate a deep understanding of Chinese nuance.
这里的资源虽然稀少，但种类却很丰富。 (Although resources here are scarce, the variety is quite rich.)
夜晚的森林里，月光透过稀疏的叶缝洒在地上。 (In the night forest, moonlight spills onto the ground through the sparse gaps in the leaves.)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In ancient agricultural texts, '稀' was used to instruct farmers on how to plant seeds so they wouldn't compete for nutrients. If you planted them too '稀', your yield would be '少'. Eventually, the two combined to describe any low-density situation.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'xī' like 'zhee' (it should be a soft 'sh' sound).
- Failing to dip the 3rd tone in 'shǎo' properly.
- Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'xíshào' or 'xìshǎo'.
- Treating 'sh' as a flat 's' sound.
- Over-emphasizing the 'i' in 'xī' so it sounds like two syllables.
Difficulty Rating
The characters are relatively simple, but the word appears in formal texts.
Remembering the '稀' character stroke order takes some practice.
Easy to pronounce once tones are mastered.
Distinct sound, easy to recognize in news reports.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjectives as Predicates
这里的资源[非常]稀少。 (Subject + Adverb + Adjective)
Attributive Adjectives with '的'
这些稀少的野生动物需要保护。 (Adjective + 的 + Noun)
Cause and Effect with '由于'
由于降水稀少，这里土地干旱。 (Due to..., [Result])
Degree Adverbs
极其稀少 (Extremely scarce), 十分稀少 (Very scarce).
Negative '不' with Adjectives
这里的机会并不稀少。 (Opportunities here are not scarce.)
Examples by Level
这里的人很少。
There are few people here.
Simple 'Subject + Adverb + Adjective' structure.
书店里的书很少。
There are few books in the bookstore.
A1 uses '少' as a precursor to '稀少'.
公园里树木稀少。
Trees are sparse in the park.
Using '稀少' to describe a physical space.
沙漠里水很稀少。
Water is very scarce in the desert.
Describing natural resources.
他的头发稀少。
His hair is thin.
Common physical description.
晚上的车很稀少。
Cars are rare at night.
Describing traffic frequency.
这种花非常稀少。
This kind of flower is very rare.
Describing biological rarity.
那个村子人口稀少。
That village is sparsely populated.
Formal term for population density.
因为天气冷，街上的行人稀少。
Because the weather is cold, pedestrians on the street are few.
Using '因为...所以' (implied) structure.
由于干旱，这里的草木稀少。
Due to drought, the vegetation here is sparse.
'由于' (yóuyú) is used to indicate cause.
这种动物在森林里已经很稀少了。
This animal is already very scarce in the forest.
'已经...了' indicates a change in state.
在高原，空气变得稀少。
In the highlands, the air becomes thin.
'变得' (biànde) means 'to become'.
这本旧书的存世量非常稀少。
The number of remaining copies of this old book is very scarce.
'存世量' (cúnshìliàng) means amount remaining in the world.
那个地区的资源非常稀少。
Resources in that region are very scarce.
General description of resources.
深夜的火车站，乘客十分稀少。
In the late-night train station, passengers are very few.
Setting a scene with time and location.
他的胡须稀少，看起来很年轻。
His beard is sparse, making him look young.
Describing facial features.
在偏远的山区，受教育的机会非常稀少。
In remote mountainous areas, educational opportunities are very scarce.
Abstract usage: opportunities.
这种草药只生长在人迹稀少的地方。
This herb only grows in places where human traces are few.
'人迹稀少' is a common four-character phrase.
由于缺乏投资，该行业的专业人才非常稀少。
Due to a lack of investment, professional talent in this industry is very scarce.
Describing human resources.
关于这位古代诗人的记载极其稀少。
Records about this ancient poet are extremely scarce.
Describing historical evidence.
虽然他很有钱，但他的朋友却很稀少。
Although he is rich, his friends are very few.
Contrasting wealth with social scarcity.
月光洒在稀少的树影上，显得有些凄凉。
Moonlight fell on the sparse shadows of the trees, appearing somewhat desolate.
Literary/descriptive usage.
由于经济危机，工作岗位变得十分稀少。
Due to the economic crisis, job positions have become very scarce.
Socio-economic context.
这种鸟类的数量正因为环境污染而变得稀少。
The number of this bird species is becoming scarce due to environmental pollution.
Expressing cause and effect.
西北地区的植被稀少，生态环境非常脆弱。
Vegetation in the Northwest is sparse, and the ecological environment is very fragile.
Academic/Environmental context.
在那个动荡的年代，能够活下来的人非常稀少。
In those turbulent years, those who were able to survive were very few.
Historical/Narrative context.
由于该语言的使用者稀少，它正面临灭绝的危险。
Because the speakers of this language are few, it is facing the danger of extinction.
Linguistic/Sociological context.
这种矿产在地球上的储量极其稀少，因此价格昂贵。
The reserves of this mineral on Earth are extremely scarce, hence the high price.
Economic/Geological context.
在互联网尚未普及的时代，信息交流非常稀少。
In the era before the internet became popular, information exchange was very sparse.
Comparative historical context.
尽管证据稀少，警察仍然坚持调查这起案件。
Despite the sparse evidence, the police still insisted on investigating the case.
Legal/Investigative context.
在这片荒原上，水源稀少是生存最大的挑战。
On this wasteland, the scarcity of water is the greatest challenge to survival.
Survival/Adventure context.
由于缺乏维护，这里的古迹已经变得非常稀少了。
Due to a lack of maintenance, the ancient monuments here have become very few.
Cultural heritage context.
作者在书中描述了一个人烟稀少的边陲小镇。
The author described a sparsely populated border town in the book.
'人烟稀少' is a literary idiom for sparsely populated.
在现代都市的喧嚣中，这种宁静的时刻显得弥足珍贵且稀少。
In the hustle and bustle of modern cities, such quiet moments are precious and rare.
Abstract/Philosophical context.
该论文指出，这类实验的数据样本过于稀少，不足以得出结论。
The paper pointed out that the data samples for this type of experiment are too sparse to draw a conclusion.
Scientific/Statistical context.
他的作品中流露出一种对往昔岁月的稀少记忆的怀念。
His work reveals a nostalgia for the sparse memories of days gone by.
Literary/Emotional context.
由于史料稀少，史学家们对这一时期的社会结构仍有争议。
Due to sparse historical materials, historians still debate the social structure of this period.
Scholarly debate context.
在那个高度集权的社会，个人的声音往往是极其稀少的。
In that highly centralized society, individual voices were often extremely rare.
Political/Sociological context.
这种艺术形式的传人已经稀少到几乎失传的地步。
The successors of this art form have become so few that it is almost on the verge of being lost.
Cultural preservation context.
在星系之间的广阔空间里，物质的分布极其稀少。
In the vast space between galaxies, the distribution of matter is extremely sparse.
Scientific/Cosmological context.
纵观历史，真正能称得上伟大的思想家实属稀少。
Throughout history, thinkers who can truly be called great are indeed rare.
Formal historical reflection.
文章以稀少的笔墨勾勒出了一个极其复杂的政治背景。
The article sketched an extremely complex political background with sparse ink (concise writing).
'稀少的笔墨' is a metaphor for concise writing.
在法律条文中，对该特定情形的明确规定依然稀少。
In legal provisions, clear regulations for this specific situation remain scarce.
Legal/Technical context.
这种病症在医学史上仅有稀少的病例记载，极具研究价值。
This condition has only sparse case records in medical history and is of great research value.
High-level medical discourse.
他那种不计报酬的奉献精神在物欲横流的社会显得尤为稀少。
His spirit of selfless dedication is particularly rare in a materialistic society.
Social criticism/Philosophical context.
该地区的降水量分布极不均匀，且总量稀少，严重制约了农业发展。
The distribution of precipitation in this region is extremely uneven and the total amount is scarce, severely restricting agricultural development.
Formal economic/geographic analysis.
在古籍修复的过程中，可供参考的完整样本往往非常稀少。
In the process of restoring ancient books, complete samples available for reference are often very scarce.
Technical/Specialized context.
这类高能物理现象的观测数据目前依然十分稀少，尚处于探索阶段。
Observational data for this type of high-energy physical phenomenon is still very sparse and remains in the exploratory stage.
Advanced scientific discourse.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Extremely scarce. Used to emphasize the severity of the lack.
这种野生动物的存活数量已经极其稀少了。
— Very few traces of human activity. Describes remote or desolate areas.
那是一片人烟稀少的荒原。
— Small in quantity. A direct way to describe low numbers.
由于产量有限，这种手表的市场数量稀少。
— Few varieties. Used when there isn't much diversity.
这家店里的水果品种稀少。
— Sparsely distributed. Describes how things are spread out.
这种矿石在自然界中分布稀少。
— Few records. Used for historical or scientific data.
古代关于这种疾病的记录非常稀少。
— Few interactions. Describes social isolation between people or groups.
两家公司虽然是邻居，但往来稀少。
— Sparse evidence. Used in legal or investigative contexts.
由于证据稀少，法官无法做出判决。
— Sparse rainfall. Standard term for dry climates.
这里因为雨水稀少而无法种植水稻。
— Few medical cases. Used for rare diseases.
这种过敏反应的临床病例非常稀少。
Often Confused With
很少 is used for frequency (seldom) and general small amounts. 稀少 is more formal and describes density or scarcity.
稀有 implies something is rare and often valuable (like gold). 稀少 is a neutral description of low quantity.
稀疏 describes things spread far apart (sparse), while 稀少 focuses on the overall low number (scarce).
Idioms & Expressions
— Things are valued when they are rare. A common proverb about market value.
正所谓物以稀为贵，这种限量版的鞋子价格很高。
Common Proverb— Very few; can be counted on one's fingers. Used for extreme scarcity.
晚会上，能坚持到最后的人寥寥无几。
Literary— As rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Used for extraordinary talent.
在那个年代，能读大学的人简直是凤毛麟角。
Formal/Literary— Sparsely populated; no sign of human habitation.
他喜欢去那些人烟稀少的地方旅行。
Neutral/Descriptive— So quiet that you can catch sparrows at the door. Describes a lack of visitors.
自从新超市开张后，老店就门可罗雀了。
Literary/Idiomatic— Can be counted on the fingers. Used for very small numbers.
世界上像他这样成功的企业家屈指可数。
Neutral— The only one of its kind; unique and rare.
这件艺术品在世界上是绝无仅有的。
Formal— One in a hundred. Used for something or someone outstanding.
她是百里挑一的人才，我们一定要留住她。
Neutral— Very little; next to nothing. Used for tiny amounts or probabilities.
他赢的机会微乎其微。
Formal— Desolate and uninhabited. Stronger than 人烟稀少.
探险队进入了一片荒无人烟的地区。
Neutral/DescriptiveEasily Confused
Both mean 'rare'.
罕见 means 'seldom seen' (unusual event). 稀少 means 'low in number' (quantity).
罕见的日食 (rare eclipse) vs. 稀少的人口 (sparse population).
Both mean 'scarce'.
稀缺 implies a shortage or high demand (economic). 稀少 is just a description of low amount.
稀缺的人才 (scarce talent) vs. 稀少的植被 (sparse vegetation).
Both mean 'lacking'.
贫乏 is used for poverty, lack of resources, or lack of abstract things like imagination.
想象力贫乏 (poor imagination) vs. 降雨稀少 (sparse rainfall).
Both start with '稀'.
稀奇 means 'strange' or 'curious' because it's rare. 稀少 is just 'few'.
稀奇古怪 (strange and odd) vs. 数量稀少 (small number).
Both mean 'rarely'.
鲜少 is usually an adverb meaning 'seldom'. 稀少 is an adjective.
他鲜少露面 (He rarely shows up) vs. 行人稀少 (Few pedestrians).
Sentence Patterns
[Place] + 的 + [Noun] + 很/非常 + 稀少。
这个地方的树木非常稀少。
由于 [Reason]，[Noun] 变得很稀少。
由于天气冷，街上的行人变得很稀少。
[Noun] + 极其 + 稀少，因此 [Result]。
水源极其稀少，因此我们要节约用水。
在 [Context] 下，[Noun] 变得十分稀少。
在经济危机下，工作机会变得十分稀少。
尽管 [Noun] 稀少，但 [Contrast]。
尽管证据稀少，但他仍然坚持自己的观点。
[Noun] 的分布非常稀少。
这种矿石在地球上的分布非常稀少。
[Noun] 稀少到 [Degree] 的地步。
这种文化遗产已经稀少到快要消失的地步。
纵观 [History/Field]，[Noun] 实属稀少。
纵观历史，这样的天才实属稀少。
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in written Chinese, moderate in spoken Chinese.
-
我稀少喝咖啡。
→
我很少喝咖啡。
'稀少' is an adjective, not an adverb for frequency. Use '很少' to say you rarely do something.
-
这里的书比那里的稀少。
→
这里的书比那里的少。
'稀少' is generally not used in '比' (bǐ) comparative structures. Use '少' or '更少'.
-
盘子里的菜稀少。
→
盘子里的菜很少。
'稀少' usually implies a larger context or space (like a region). For a small plate of food, '少' is appropriate.
-
我有稀少的朋友。
→
我的朋友很少。
'稀少' is too formal for describing personal social circles in casual speech.
-
这里的空气很稀少。
→
这里的空气很稀薄。
While '空气稀少' is used, '稀薄' (xībó - thin) is the more precise scientific term for thin air.
Tips
Adverbial Pairing
Always try to pair '稀少' with an adverb like '非常' or '极其' when it's at the end of a sentence. It sounds more natural in Chinese to have a degree modifier before a two-character adjective.
Geography Focus
If you are writing about geography or the environment, '稀少' is the professional term. Use '人口稀少' for low population density and '降水稀少' for low rainfall.
Don't confuse with '稀有'
Remember that '稀有' (xīyǒu) often implies something is rare AND special (like a rare mineral). '稀少' is just about the count.
Literary Flair
In creative writing, use '稀少' to describe starlight or shadows to create a mood of isolation or peace.
Pronunciation Tip
The 'x' in 'xī' is made by putting your tongue against your lower teeth and blowing air. It's softer than the English 'sh'.
Workplace Chinese
In business, use '稀少' to describe a lack of high-quality data or specific market opportunities.
News Keywords
When you hear '稀少' in the news, pay attention to the noun following it; it's usually the topic of the report (e.g., resources, survivors).
Visual Link
Visualize a 'thin' (稀) line of 'few' (少) people. This helps link the characters to the meaning of 'sparse'.
Frequency Mistake
Never say '我稀少做...' to mean 'I rarely do...'. Always use '很少' for the frequency of your actions.
Density vs. Quantity
Use '稀少' when the lack of something is spread across a space. If it's just a small pile of things, '少' is enough.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'xī' as the sound of wind blowing through 'sparse' trees, and 'shǎo' as the standard word for 'few'. Together: 'xī-shǎo' = Windy and Empty.
Visual Association
Imagine a desert with one single cactus. The 'xī' is the vast empty space, and the 'shǎo' is the single cactus.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to write a sentence describing your hometown using '稀少' to describe something that has changed over time (e.g., green space, old buildings).
Word Origin
The word is a compound of two ancient characters. '稀' (xī) dates back to the Han dynasty and originally referred to the density of woven fabric or the spacing of plants in a field. '少' (shǎo) is one of the most ancient Chinese characters, appearing in Oracle Bone script, representing small grains of sand to denote 'few'.
Original meaning: The original combined sense was 'loosely spaced and few in number', primarily describing agriculture or textiles.
Sino-TibetanCultural Context
When using '头发稀少' (thinning hair), be aware it can be a sensitive topic for some, just like in English.
English speakers often use 'rare' for both 'unusual' and 'few'. In Chinese, '稀少' is specifically for 'few/sparse'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Geography/Demographics
- 人口稀少 (Sparsely populated)
- 人烟稀少 (No signs of human life)
- 地广人稀 (Vast land, few people)
- 植被稀少 (Sparse vegetation)
Ecology/Nature
- 物种稀少 (Few species)
- 水源稀少 (Scarce water)
- 稀少动物 (Rare animals)
- 降水稀少 (Sparse rainfall)
Physical Appearance
- 头发稀少 (Thinning hair)
- 胡须稀少 (Sparse beard)
- 眉毛稀少 (Sparse eyebrows)
- 牙齿稀少 (Few teeth)
History/Academic
- 史料稀少 (Sparse historical materials)
- 文献稀少 (Few documents)
- 记载稀少 (Sparse records)
- 证据稀少 (Sparse evidence)
Social/Economic
- 机会稀少 (Rare opportunities)
- 资源稀少 (Scarce resources)
- 人才稀少 (Scarce talent)
- 行人稀少 (Few pedestrians)
Conversation Starters
"你觉得在人口稀少的地方生活怎么样？ (What do you think about living in a sparsely populated place?)"
"为什么这种动物的数量变得这么稀少？ (Why has the number of this animal become so scarce?)"
"在你的国家，哪种资源最稀少？ (In your country, which resource is the scarcest?)"
"你认为在大城市里，宁静的时刻是否很稀少？ (Do you think quiet moments are rare in big cities?)"
"如果一个地方人烟稀少，你会有什么感觉？ (How would you feel if a place had no signs of human activity?)"
Journal Prompts
描述一次你去过的人烟稀少的地方。那里是什么样子的？ (Describe a sparsely populated place you've visited. What was it like?)
写一写为什么保护稀少物种对人类很重要。 (Write about why protecting rare species is important for humanity.)
谈谈在竞争激烈的社会中，机会是否变得稀少。 (Discuss whether opportunities become scarce in a highly competitive society.)
如果地球上的水资源变得极其稀少，世界会发生什么变化？ (If water resources on Earth became extremely scarce, how would the world change?)
反思一下你生活中那些稀少但珍贵的瞬间。 (Reflect on those rare but precious moments in your life.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically you can, but it sounds very literary or formal. In daily life, say '我的朋友很少'. Using '稀少' makes it sound like you are writing a poetic description of your loneliness.
'稀少' (scarce) emphasizes that there aren't many total units. '稀疏' (sparse) emphasizes that the units are spaced far apart. For example, '头发稀少' means you don't have much hair, while '头发稀疏' means the hair you have is spread out with gaps.
Not usually for 'rarely doing an action'. Use '很少' for that. '稀少' describes a state or quantity. You can say '机会稀少' (opportunities are rare), but not '我稀少去北京'.
'稀少' is much more formal. It is commonly found in newspapers, textbooks, and formal speeches, while '很少' is the standard for conversation.
Yes, but usually as '人口稀少' (sparsely populated) or '行人稀少' (few pedestrians). It describes the density of a group rather than the characteristics of an individual.
You can say '稀少的资源' or '资源稀少'. If you want to emphasize that they are in short supply for a specific need, '稀缺资源' is even better.
It is generally neutral, but context often makes it negative (like scarce water) or positive (like a rare and valuable opportunity).
The most direct opposites are '丰富' (abundant), '稠密' (dense), or '繁多' (numerous).
Yes, '空气稀少' is a standard way to say the air is thin, especially at high altitudes.
Yes, it is a very common idiom used to explain why rare things are expensive or highly valued.
Test Yourself 200 questions
请用'人口稀少'写一个关于你故乡的句子。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
请用'资源稀少'谈谈环境保护的重要性。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
描述一个你见过的'人烟稀少'的地方。
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用'稀少'来形容一种濒危动物。
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写一个关于'机会稀少'的句子。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
用'头发稀少'描述一个人的外貌。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
写一个关于'降雨稀少'的句子。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
用'稀少'描述深夜的城市。
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解释为什么'物以稀为贵'。
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写一个关于'证据稀少'的法庭场景。
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用'稀少'描述高山上的空气。
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写一个关于'记载稀少'的句子。
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描述一个'行人稀少'的公园。
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写一个关于'品种稀少'的句子。
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用'极其稀少'强调某种事物的罕见性。
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写一个关于'往来稀少'的句子。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
用'稀少'描述沙漠中的植被。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
写一个关于'史料稀少'的历史研究句子。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
用'稀少'描述一种罕见的自然现象。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
写一个关于'专业人才稀少'的句子。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
请用'稀少'说一个关于动物保护的句子。
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谈谈在你的国家，哪种自然资源比较稀少？
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描述一个你认为'人烟稀少'的地方。
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如果一个地方'人口稀少'，你觉得在那里生活会有什么好处和坏处？
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用'稀少'形容一下深夜的街道。
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为什么说'物以稀为贵'？请举一个例子。
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用'稀少'描述一下你忙碌时和朋友见面的频率。
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如果你去高原旅行，你会担心'空气稀少'吗？为什么？
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描述一个你见过的'植被稀少'的地方。
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用'极其稀少'造句。
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你认为在未来的社会，什么资源会变得稀少？
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用'稀少'谈论一个人的外貌特征。
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在你的专业领域，哪种人才比较稀少？
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用'稀少'形容一种罕见的病症。
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描述一个'记载稀少'的历史事件。
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用'稀少'造句：描述一种很贵的水果。
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你喜欢去游客稀少的地方旅游吗？为什么？
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用'稀少'描述一下你对某种知识的了解。
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解释'降雨稀少'对农业的影响。
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用'稀少'总结一下今天所学的内容。
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录音原文：'这个地区的淡水资源非常稀少，居民们必须节约用水。' 问：这个地区的淡水多吗？
录音原文：'由于人口稀少，这片土地上保留了大量的原始森林。' 问：为什么原始森林多？
录音原文：'这种草药极其稀少，只生长在悬崖峭壁上。' 问：这种草药好找吗？
录音原文：'深夜的街道，行人稀少，只有路灯闪烁。' 问：街道上人多吗？
录音原文：'关于这位诗人的生平，历史记载非常稀少。' 问：我们对这位诗人了解多吗？
录音原文：'在高山上，空气稀少，氧气不足，容易产生高原反应。' 问：高原上为什么容易缺氧？
录音原文：'这种罕见病在全世界的病例极其稀少。' 问：这种病常见吗？
录音原文：'由于受灾严重，灾区的粮食供应变得非常稀少。' 问：灾区现在缺什么？
录音原文：'在这片荒漠中，植被十分稀少。' 问：荒漠里植物多吗？
录音原文：'由于缺乏维护，该地区的古迹已经变得稀少了。' 问：古迹为什么变少了？
录音原文：'这种矿石在自然界中分布极其稀少。' 问：这种矿石容易挖到吗？
录音原文：'在那个偏僻的渔村，受教育的机会非常稀少。' 问：渔村的孩子上学容易吗？
录音原文：'由于连年干旱，该地区的降雨量极其稀少。' 问：该地区天气怎么样？
录音原文：'这种动物因为人类的捕猎而变得极其稀少。' 问：这种动物为什么变少了？
录音原文：'在这个数字时代，手写信件已经变得非常稀少了。' 问：现在写信的人多吗？
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 稀少 (xīshǎo) is your go-to term for describing scarcity and low density in formal contexts. While '少' (shǎo) is for everyday 'few', 稀少 paints a picture of sparseness. Example: '沙漠中水源稀少' (Water is scarce in the desert).
- 稀少 (xīshǎo) is a formal adjective meaning 'rare', 'scarce', or 'sparse'. It describes things that are few in number or spread out over a large area.
- It is commonly used for population (人口稀少), resources (资源稀少), and physical traits like hair (头发稀少) or air (空气稀少).
- Unlike the basic '少', it is more descriptive and formal, often used in news, textbooks, and scientific reports to describe low density.
- It differs from '稀有' (precious rare) and '罕见' (seldom seen) by focusing specifically on the small quantity or the thinness of distribution.
Adverbial Pairing
Always try to pair '稀少' with an adverb like '非常' or '极其' when it's at the end of a sentence. It sounds more natural in Chinese to have a degree modifier before a two-character adjective.
Geography Focus
If you are writing about geography or the environment, '稀少' is the professional term. Use '人口稀少' for low population density and '降水稀少' for low rainfall.
Don't confuse with '稀有'
Remember that '稀有' (xīyǒu) often implies something is rare AND special (like a rare mineral). '稀少' is just about the count.
Literary Flair
In creative writing, use '稀少' to describe starlight or shadows to create a mood of isolation or peace.
Example
这种动物非常稀少，濒临灭绝。
