You can use the Chinese word 很少 (hěn shǎo) to express that something happens infrequently. It's similar to saying 'seldom' or 'rarely' in English. This is a really common and useful word, so understanding how to use it will help you a lot in everyday conversations.
For example, if you want to say you 'seldom eat meat', you would say '我很少吃肉 (Wǒ hěn shǎo chī ròu)'. See? It's straightforward. You'll find yourself using 很少 quite often as you describe your habits and experiences.
You'll often hear 很少 (hěn shǎo) used to say that something happens infrequently. Think of it as meaning 'seldom' or 'rarely'. It's an adverb, so it usually goes before the verb.
For example, if you want to say 'I rarely eat spicy food,' you'd say: 我很少吃辣的 (Wǒ hěn shǎo chī là de). Another example: 他们很少去电影院 (Tāmen hěn shǎo qù diànyǐngyuàn), meaning 'They rarely go to the cinema.'
When using 很少 (hěnshǎo), remember it's an adverb that directly precedes the verb or verb phrase it modifies. For example, you can say 我很少看电视 (Wǒ hěnshǎo kàn diànshì), meaning "I rarely watch TV."
It emphasizes the infrequency of an action. Don't confuse it with 不多 (bùduō), which means "not much" and typically describes quantity rather than frequency. While both imply smallness, 很少 specifically highlights how seldom something occurs. Practice using it to describe activities you don't do often.
When using “很少,” remember it directly precedes the verb it modifies. Think of it like saying “seldom do” or “rarely go.” For example, if you want to say “I seldom eat out,” you would say “我很少在外面吃饭” (Wǒ hěnshǎo zài wàimiàn chīfàn).
It’s a straightforward adverb that expresses infrequency. Don’t overthink its placement; just put it before the action that rarely happens. If you need to describe something happening even less often, you might use phrases like “几乎不” (jīhū bù, almost never) or “从不” (cóngbù, never).
很少 em 30 segundos
- 很少 means seldom or rarely.
- Use it to describe things that don't happen often.
- It's a common adverb for infrequency.
§ Understanding 很少 (hěn shǎo)
Let's talk about 很少 (hěn shǎo). This is a really common and useful word in Chinese. It means 'seldom' or 'rarely'. You'll use it all the time to describe things that don't happen often. Think of it as the opposite of 'often' or 'frequently'.
- DEFINITION
- seldom, rarely
In Chinese, 很少 (hěn shǎo) is an adverb. This means it usually goes before the verb or adjective it's modifying. It tells you how often something happens, or to what small degree something exists.
§ How to Use 很少 (hěn shǎo) in Sentences
Using 很少 (hěn shǎo) is pretty straightforward. Just put it before the action or state you want to describe as rare.
我很少吃肉。(Wǒ hěn shǎo chī ròu.)
Translation hint: I rarely eat meat.
他很少生病。(Tā hěn shǎo shēngbìng.)
Translation hint: He seldom gets sick.
这里很少下雨。(Zhèlǐ hěn shǎo xiàyǔ.)
Translation hint: It rarely rains here.
§ 很少 (hěn shǎo) vs. 不常 (bù cháng)
You might be wondering about other ways to say 'not often'. The most common alternative you'll encounter is 不常 (bù cháng).
- DEFINITION
- not often, infrequently
So, what's the difference? It's subtle, but important:
- 很少 (hěn shǎo): This emphasizes a low quantity or frequency. It suggests that something happens so infrequently that it's almost negligible, or that there's a very small amount of something. It often carries a stronger sense of 'rarely' or 'hardly ever'.
- 不常 (bù cháng): This simply means 'not often'. It's a more direct negation of 'often'. It suggests that something doesn't happen frequently, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's extremely rare. It's more neutral in tone.
Think of it this way:
- If you say something happens 很少 (hěn shǎo), it implies a stronger sense of 'almost never' or 'very few'.
- If you say something happens 不常 (bù cháng), it implies 'sometimes, but not regularly' or 'less than often'.
Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:
我很少去KTV唱歌。(Wǒ hěn shǎo qù KTV chànggē.)
Translation hint: I rarely go to KTV to sing. (Suggests it's an extremely infrequent activity for me, perhaps once a year or less.)
我不常去KTV唱歌。(Wǒ bù cháng qù KTV chànggē.)
Translation hint: I don't often go to KTV to sing. (Suggests I go sometimes, maybe a few times a year, but it's not a regular habit.)
§ 很少 (hěn shǎo) with Nouns
You can also use 很少 (hěn shǎo) to describe a small quantity of something, essentially meaning 'very little' or 'few'. In this case, it functions like an adjective modifying a noun.
他有很少朋友。(Tā yǒu hěn shǎo péngyǒu.)
Translation hint: He has very few friends.
桌子上只有很少的书。(Zhuōzi shàng zhǐ yǒu hěn shǎo de shū.)
Translation hint: There are very few books on the table.
When using it this way, it’s similar to saying 'not many' or 'not much'. The key is that 很少 (hěn shǎo) emphasizes the smallness of the quantity.
How Formal Is It?
"他鲜少在公开场合露面。(He seldom appears in public.)"
"我很少吃辣。(I rarely eat spicy food.)"
"我不太常去健身房。(I don't go to the gym very often.)"
"小猫咪很少睡觉。(The kitten rarely sleeps.)"
"他最近没咋来。(He hasn't been around much lately.)"
Curiosidade
While '很' usually functions as an intensifier (e.g., 很好 - very good), in '很少' it combines with '少' to create a sense of infrequency, not an intensified 'fewness' in the sense of 'extremely few' but rather 'rarely' or 'seldom'.
Guia de pronúncia
- Some learners might struggle with the tone changes, especially the third tone on both characters.
Nível de dificuldade
short and common characters
short and common characters
common pronunciation
common pronunciation
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Gramática essencial
很少 (hěn shǎo) is an adverb placed before a verb to indicate infrequency. It means "seldom" or "rarely."
我很少去酒吧。 (Wǒ hěn shǎo qù jiǔbā.) I seldom go to bars.
It can also be placed before an adjective to express that something is very little in quantity or degree. While less common, this usage emphasizes scarcity.
他的空闲时间很少。 (Tā de kòngxián shíjiān hěn shǎo.) He has very little free time.
When using 很少, there is no need for additional negative adverbs like 不 (bù) or 没 (méi) because 很少 already carries a negative implication.
她很少说话。 (Tā hěn shǎo shuōhuà.) She rarely speaks. (Incorrect: 她很少不说说。)
很少 can be used in questions to ask about the frequency of an action or the quantity of something. The structure remains the same.
你很少看电影吗？ (Nǐ hěn shǎo kàn diànyǐng ma?) Do you rarely watch movies?
For emphasis, you can combine 很少 with expressions like 真的 (zhēnde, really) or 非常 (fēicháng, very) to strengthen the sense of rarity, although 很少 itself is strong enough.
我真的很少吃辣。 (Wǒ zhēnde hěn shǎo chī là.) I really seldom eat spicy food.
Exemplos por nível
我很少去饭店吃饭。
I seldom go to restaurants to eat.
他很少说中文。
He rarely speaks Chinese.
我们很少见面。
We seldom meet.
你很少在家吗？
Are you rarely at home?
她很少看电视。
She rarely watches TV.
小狗很少叫。
The puppy seldom barks.
我很少喝咖啡。
I rarely drink coffee.
他们很少买新衣服。
They seldom buy new clothes.
我很少吃辣。
I seldom eat spicy food.
他很少看电影。
He rarely watches movies.
我们很少见面。
We seldom meet.
她很少生气。
She rarely gets angry.
你很少在家。
You are seldom at home.
我很少坐地铁。
I rarely take the subway.
他很少迟到。
He is seldom late.
我们很少去那家餐厅。
We rarely go to that restaurant.
他很少看电视。
He seldom watches TV.
我很少去市中心，因为太远了。
I rarely go downtown because it's too far.
她很少迟到，今天怎么了？
She is rarely late, what happened today?
我们很少在周末加班。
We seldom work overtime on weekends.
这种鸟很少见。
This kind of bird is rarely seen.
他很少抱怨，总是很积极。
He rarely complains, always very positive.
我很少吃辣的食物。
I seldom eat spicy food.
现在下雪很少了。
It rarely snows now.
我很少在周末加班，我更喜欢和家人待在一起。
I seldom work overtime on weekends; I prefer to spend time with my family.
他很少抱怨工作，总是积极面对挑战。
He rarely complains about work and always faces challenges positively.
我们公司很少有新员工离职，大家都很喜欢这里的工作氛围。
Our company rarely has new employees leave; everyone likes the work atmosphere here.
她很少看电视，大部分时间都用来阅读和学习。
She seldom watches TV; most of her time is spent reading and studying.
这种罕见的鸟类很少出现在人类居住的地区。
This rare bird species seldom appears in human-inhabited areas.
他很少迟到，今天一定是发生了什么特别的事情。
He is rarely late; something special must have happened today.
这家餐厅的特色菜很少有人知道，但味道非常好。
Few people know about this restaurant's special dishes, but they taste very good.
我很少去健身房，但我每天都会在家里做一些简单的运动。
I seldom go to the gym, but I do some simple exercises at home every day.
像他这样对工作投入的人很少，值得我们学习。
People as dedicated to work as he is are rare, we should learn from him.
这种现象在发达国家已经很少见了，但在发展中国家仍然存在。
This phenomenon is already seldom seen in developed countries, but still exists in developing countries.
由于环境污染，这种稀有鸟类现在已经很少能看到了。
Due to environmental pollution, this rare bird species is now seldom seen.
他平时工作很忙，很少有时间陪家人。
He is usually very busy with work and rarely has time to spend with his family.
像她这样既有才华又谦虚的人很少，她的成功是必然的。
People who are both talented and humble like her are rare, her success is inevitable.
他是一个非常独立的人，很少依赖别人。
He is a very independent person and rarely relies on others.
这种传统手工艺品现在已经很少有人会做了，濒临失传。
This traditional handicraft is now seldom made by anyone, on the verge of being lost.
虽然他们是邻居，但因为作息时间不同，所以很少有机会见面。
Although they are neighbors, due to different schedules, they rarely have the opportunity to meet.
他很少在公开场合表达自己的真实想法。
He seldom expresses his true thoughts in public.
这种现象在现代社会已经很少见了。
This phenomenon is rarely seen in modern society.
她很少抱怨，总是积极面对生活中的挑战。
She rarely complains, always actively facing life's challenges.
由于工作繁忙，他很少有时间陪伴家人。
Due to a busy work schedule, he rarely has time to spend with his family.
我很少见到像他那样对学问如此痴迷的人。
I rarely see someone as obsessed with learning as he is.
这类错误在他编写的程序中很少出现。
This type of error rarely appears in the programs he writes.
他很少发表长篇大论，但言辞总是切中要害。
He rarely publishes lengthy discourses, but his words always hit the mark.
这种罕见的植物很少在野外被发现。
This rare plant is seldom found in the wild.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
我很少看电视。(Wǒ hěn shǎo kàn diànshì.)
I rarely watch TV.
她很少生气。(Tā hěn shǎo shēngqì.)
She rarely gets angry.
我们很少见面。(Wǒmen hěn shǎo jiànmiàn.)
We rarely meet.
他很少迟到。(Tā hěn shǎo chídào.)
He is rarely late.
这种花很少见。(Zhè zhǒng huā hěn shǎo jiàn.)
This kind of flower is rarely seen.
我很少喝咖啡。(Wǒ hěn shǎo hē kāfēi.)
I rarely drink coffee.
她很少说话。(Tā hěn shǎo shuōhuà.)
She rarely talks.
现在很少有人写信了。(Xiànzài hěn shǎo yǒurén xiě xìn le.)
Few people write letters now.
他很少运动。(Tā hěn shǎo yùndòng.)
He rarely exercises.
我很少去那个地方。(Wǒ hěn shǎo qù nàgè dìfāng.)
I rarely go to that place.
Padrões gramaticais
Expressões idiomáticas
"三天打鱼，两天晒网"
work by fits and starts (lit. 'fish for three days, dry nets for two')
他学中文总是三天打鱼，两天晒网，所以进步很慢。
neutral"一窍不通"
know nothing about it (lit. 'not a single opening is clear')
我对电脑真是一窍不通。
neutral"半途而废"
give up halfway; abandon something unfinished
学习汉语不能半途而废，要坚持下去。
neutral"画蛇添足"
draw a snake and add feet to it; ruin the effect by adding something superfluous
你的报告已经很好了，再加这些数据就是画蛇添足了。
neutral"对牛弹琴"
play the lute to a cow; cast pearls before swine
跟他说这些道理简直是对牛弹琴，他根本听不进去。
neutral"马马虎虎"
so-so; careless
你工作总是马马虎虎的，怎么能做好？
neutral"井底之蛙"
a frog in a well; a person with a limited outlook
如果你不去看看外面的世界，就会变成井底之蛙。
neutral"入乡随俗"
when in Rome, do as the Romans do
到了中国，我们应该入乡随俗，体验当地文化。
neutral"一石二鸟"
kill two birds with one stone
我骑自行车上班，既锻炼身体又环保，真是一石二鸟。
neutral"掩耳盗铃"
bury one's head in the sand (lit. 'cover one's ears to steal a bell')
你以为别人不知道你做了什么，这简直是掩耳盗铃。
neutralPadrões de frases
Subj. + 很少 + Verb phrase
他很少看电视。(He seldom watches TV.)
Subj. + 很少 + 去 + Place
我很少去图书馆。(I rarely go to the library.)
Subj. + 很少 + 有 + Noun
她很少有时间。(She rarely has time.)
Subj. + 很少 + Verb
我们很少说。(We seldom speak.)
Família de palavras
Substantivos
Adjetivos
Como usar
很少 (hěn shǎo) is an adverb that means "seldom" or "rarely." It's used to describe the frequency of an action or event. You can place it before a verb.
A common mistake is confusing 很少 (hěn shǎo) with 不多 (bù duō). While both relate to small quantities, 很少 specifically refers to infrequency (seldom/rarely), whereas 不多 refers to a small amount or number (not much/not many).
For example:
正确 (Correct): 我很少看电视。(Wǒ hěn shǎo kàn diànshì.) - I seldom watch TV. (Focus on frequency)
错误 (Incorrect): 我不多看电视。(Wǒ bù duō kàn diànshì.) - This sounds unnatural; you wouldn't typically use 不多 here.
Correct use of 不多:
我的钱不多。(Wǒ de qián bù duō.) - I don't have much money. (Focus on quantity)
Dicas
Basic Meaning
很少 (hěn shǎo) means seldom or rarely. It indicates a low frequency of an action or a small quantity of something.
Grammar: Adverbial Use
很少 is an adverb, so it typically comes before the verb it modifies. For example, 我很少看电视 (Wǒ hěn shǎo kàn diànshì) means 'I rarely watch TV'.
Grammar: Adjective Use (Less Common)
While primarily an adverb, 很少 can sometimes describe a small amount, like 很少人知道 (hěn shǎo rén zhīdào) meaning 'few people know'.
Common Comparisons: Often vs. Rarely
The opposite of 很少 (rarely) is 经常 (jīngcháng), which means often or frequently. Compare: 他经常来 (Tā jīngcháng lái - He often comes) vs. 他很少来 (Tā hěn shǎo lái - He rarely comes).
Contextual Nuances
很少 can imply a lack or scarcity. For example, 我的钱很少 (Wǒ de qián hěn shǎo) means 'I have very little money'.
Avoid Direct Translation Traps
Don't translate 'very little' or 'very few' word-for-word. 很少 already conveys the sense of 'very little' or 'very few' without needing another 'very' in Chinese.
Practice Sentence 1
我很少吃肉。 (Wǒ hěn shǎo chī ròu.) - I rarely eat meat.
Practice Sentence 2
他很少生气。 (Tā hěn shǎo shēngqì.) - He seldom gets angry.
Practice Sentence 3
这里很少人来。 (Zhèlǐ hěn shǎo rén lái.) - Few people come here.
Combining with Other Adverbs
You can sometimes use 很少 with other adverbs, but for A1 level, focus on its standalone use. For instance, 你很少去图书馆吗？ (Nǐ hěn shǎo qù túshūguǎn ma?) - Do you rarely go to the library?
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of it as 'hen shao' – 'hen' (very) + 'shao' (few). So, 'very few times' or 'rarely'.
Associação visual
Imagine a 'hen' (chicken) that 'seldom' lays eggs, and when it does, it's only 'shao' (a few).
Word Web
Desafio
Describe something you rarely do using '很少'.
Origem da palavra
The character '很' (hěn) originally meant 'obstinate' or 'very much,' and '少' (shǎo) means 'few' or 'little.' Over time, '很少' evolved to describe something that occurs in small quantities or infrequently.
Significado original: '很' (hěn): obstinate, very much; '少' (shǎo): few, little
Sino-TibetanContexto cultural
When describing habits or occurrences, using '很少' is a common and direct way to express rarity. For example, if someone asks how often you do something and it's not often, '我很少...' (Wǒ hěn shǎo...) is a natural and polite way to respond. It's often used when talking about personal routines, consumption, or experiences.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Describing frequency of actions/habits
- 我很少去健身房。(I rarely go to the gym.)
- 他很少吃辣。(He seldom eats spicy food.)
- 我们很少见面。(We rarely meet up.)
Talking about things that don't happen often
- 这种机会很少。(This kind of opportunity is rare.)
- 下雪在这里很少见。(Snow is rarely seen here.)
- 他很少生气。(He rarely gets angry.)
When something is in short supply or quantity
- 这里的人很少。(There are few people here.)
- 我的钱很少。(I have little money.)
- 时间很少了。(There is little time left.)
Expressing an infrequent opinion or preference
- 我很少同意他的看法。(I rarely agree with his view.)
- 她很少抱怨。(She rarely complains.)
- 他很少发表意见。(He rarely gives his opinion.)
Referring to things that are not common or popular
- 这种书现在很少人读了。(Few people read this kind of book now.)
- 这种手机很少见了。(This kind of phone is rarely seen now.)
- 这种风格的音乐现在很少听了。(This style of music is rarely listened to now.)
Iniciadores de conversa
"你周末很少出门吗？(Do you rarely go out on weekends?)"
"你觉得现在很少有人看纸质书了吗？(Do you think fewer people read paper books now?)"
"你身边有没有很少生气的朋友？(Do you have any friends who rarely get angry?)"
"你很少去旅行吗？为什么？(Do you rarely travel? Why?)"
"你觉得现在很少有真正的朋友了吗？(Do you think there are few true friends now?)"
Temas para diário
写下你很少做的一件事，以及为什么。(Write about something you rarely do and why.)
描述一个你觉得很少见的场景。(Describe a scene you find rare.)
写下你很少有机会做的事情，如果能做你会怎么做。(Write about something you rarely have the chance to do, and what you would do if you could.)
你最近有没有很少见的经历？分享一下。(Have you had any rare experiences recently? Share them.)
你认为什么品质在现代社会中很少见了？(What quality do you think is rare in modern society?)
Teste-se 168 perguntas
我 ___ 喝咖啡，因为我不喜欢它的味道。
The sentence indicates a dislike for coffee, so 'rarely' (很少) is the appropriate word to describe the frequency of drinking it.
他 ___ 去图书馆，他更喜欢在家看书。
The second part of the sentence 'he prefers reading at home' suggests that he doesn't go to the library often. Therefore, 'rarely' (很少) fits best.
这家饭店的菜 ___ 好吃，我不喜欢。
The phrase '我不喜欢' (I don't like it) indicates that the food is not often delicious. So, 'seldom' (很少) is correct.
我 ___ 看电视，因为我喜欢运动。
The reason given is 'I like sports,' which implies a lack of time or preference for watching TV. Thus, 'rarely' (很少) is the most suitable option.
她 ___ 说英语，她更喜欢说中文。
If she prefers speaking Chinese, then she would 'rarely' (很少) speak English.
下雨天我们 ___ 出去玩。
It's common to 'rarely' (很少) go out to play on rainy days.
Which of these means 'seldom' or 'rarely'?
很少 (hěn shǎo) means 'seldom' or 'rarely'.
Select the correct sentence: My cat rarely eats vegetables.
很少 (hěn shǎo) correctly conveys 'rarely eats'.
If someone says they '很少看电视' (hěn shǎo kàn diànshì), what does it mean?
很少 (hěn shǎo) means seldom or rarely, so '很少看电视' means 'rarely watch TV'.
The sentence '他很少说英语' (Tā hěn shǎo shuō Yīngyǔ) means 'He often speaks English'.
很少 (hěn shǎo) means seldom or rarely, so the sentence means 'He rarely speaks English'.
'我很少去图书馆' (Wǒ hěn shǎo qù túshūguǎn) means 'I rarely go to the library'.
很少 (hěn shǎo) correctly translates to 'rarely'.
If you use 很少 (hěn shǎo) to describe an action, it means that action happens frequently.
很少 (hěn shǎo) indicates that an action happens infrequently or rarely, not frequently.
I rarely go to restaurants to eat.
He rarely speaks Chinese.
Are you rarely at home?
Read this aloud:
我很少喝咖啡。
Focus: hěn shǎo
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
他们很少看电视。
Focus: kàn diànshì
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你很少学习吗？
Focus: xuéxí
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a sentence saying 'I rarely drink coffee.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我很少喝咖啡。
Write a sentence saying 'He seldom goes to the library.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他很少去图书馆。
Write a sentence saying 'They rarely eat fast food.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他们很少吃快餐。
What does '我' (I) rarely do?
Read this passage:
我很少看电视。我喜欢看书。
What does '我' (I) rarely do?
The passage states '我很少看电视。' (I rarely watch TV.)
The passage states '我很少看电视。' (I rarely watch TV.)
What language does '她' (she) rarely speak?
Read this passage:
她很少说英文。她常常说中文。
What language does '她' (she) rarely speak?
The passage states '她很少说英文。' (She rarely speaks English.)
The passage states '她很少说英文。' (She rarely speaks English.)
Where do '我们' (we) rarely go?
Read this passage:
我们很少去饭店。我们喜欢在家吃饭。
Where do '我们' (we) rarely go?
The passage states '我们很少去饭店。' (We rarely go to restaurants.)
The passage states '我们很少去饭店。' (We rarely go to restaurants.)
The correct order is Subject + Adverb (很少) + Verb + Object.
The correct order is Subject + Adverb (很少) + Verb + Object.
The correct order is Subject + Adverb (很少) + Verb + Object.
她___去电影院，因为她更喜欢在家看电影。
The sentence implies she prefers watching movies at home, so she 'rarely' goes to the cinema. '很少' means seldom/rarely.
我___吃辣的食物，因为我的胃不舒服。
The speaker's stomach discomfort suggests they 'rarely' eat spicy food. '很少' fits here.
这个咖啡馆___开门，所以你最好提前打电话确认。
If you need to call ahead to confirm, it means the cafe 'rarely' opens consistently. '很少' is the correct choice.
他工作很忙，所以___有时间陪家人。
Being busy with work means he 'rarely' has time for family. '很少' indicates infrequency.
我们公司___加班，除非有紧急项目。
The phrase 'unless there's an urgent project' implies that overtime is 'rare'. '很少' is appropriate.
我的猫___叫，它很安静。
If the cat is very quiet, it 'rarely' meows. '很少' conveys this meaning.
Choose the correct sentence: My cat rarely eats vegetables.
“很少” means rarely or seldom, which fits the meaning of the sentence. '常常' means often, '喜欢' means like, and '不' means not.
Which sentence means: He rarely watches TV at home.
“很少” indicates that watching TV at home is not a frequent activity for him. '常常' means often, '喜欢' means like, and '不在家' means not at home.
Complete the sentence: 我 _____ 去电影院看电影。(I _____ go to the cinema to watch movies.)
Given the options, '很少' (rarely) is the most appropriate choice to describe an infrequent activity. '经常' means often, '总是' means always, and '每天' means every day.
The sentence '她很少说英语' means 'She often speaks English.'
“很少” means rarely or seldom, so '她很少说英语' means 'She rarely speaks English.'
You can use '很少' to describe something that happens infrequently.
“很少” is an adverb used to express that an action or event occurs seldom or rarely.
The sentence '我们很少见面' means 'We meet frequently.'
“很少” means rarely or seldom, so '我们很少见面' means 'We rarely meet.'
The speaker doesn't eat out often.
He doesn't speak Chinese often.
We don't meet often.
Read this aloud:
你很少运动吗？
Focus: yùndòng (exercise)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
我很少看电视。
Focus: kàn diànshì (watch TV)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
她很少迟到。
Focus: chídào (be late)
Você disse:
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The correct order is Subject + Adverb + Verb + Object. '他' (he) is the subject, '很少' (rarely) is the adverb, '去' (go) is the verb, and '图书馆' (library) is the object.
Place the adverb '很少' (rarely) before the verb '吃' (eat).
'她' (she) is the subject, '很少' (seldom) is the adverb, and '生病' (get sick) is the verb phrase.
她___去电影院，因为她更喜欢在家看电影。
根据句意，她不喜欢去电影院，更喜欢在家看电影，所以她“很少”去电影院。
我们公司___加班，除非有紧急项目。
句中提到“除非有紧急项目”，说明通常情况下不加班，因此选择“很少”。
他___吃早餐，所以上午常常会感到饥饿。
因为上午会感到饥饿，所以说明他通常不吃早餐，因此选择“很少”。
这种鸟类在城市里___出现，它们更喜欢森林环境。
句中提到这种鸟类喜欢森林环境，所以在城市里“很少”出现。
她工作很忙，所以___有时间陪伴家人。
因为工作很忙，所以陪伴家人的时间会很有限，因此选择“很少”。
这家餐厅的菜味道不错，但___有空位，通常需要提前预定。
因为通常需要提前预定，说明这家餐厅的空位不常有，因此选择“很少”。
她___去图书馆，因为她更喜欢在家里看书。
The sentence implies she doesn't go to the library much because she prefers reading at home, so 'rarely' (很少) is the best fit.
我们___在外面吃饭，通常都是在家做饭。
The second part of the sentence 'usually cook at home' (通常都是在家做饭) suggests that eating out is not a frequent activity, making 'rarely' (很少) the correct choice.
他___抱怨自己的工作，总是积极乐观。
The sentence states 'always positive and optimistic' (总是积极乐观), which implies he doesn't complain much, so 'rarely' (很少) is the appropriate adverb.
他说他很少吃甜食，这意味着他经常吃甜食。
If someone 'rarely eats sweets' (很少吃甜食), it means they do not frequently eat them, not that they often do.
如果一个人很少迟到，那么他是一个守时的人。
If someone 'rarely is late' (很少迟到), it suggests they are punctual, as punctuality means being on time most of the time.
她很少看电视，所以她对电视节目非常了解。
If she 'rarely watches TV' (很少看电视), it's unlikely she would be very knowledgeable about TV programs; the opposite would be true.
The speaker is talking about someone's work habits.
The speaker is discussing a type of coffee bean.
The speaker is describing someone's attitude.
Read this aloud:
你很少去健身房吗？
Focus: hen shao
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
我们很少见面，因为大家都很忙。
Focus: jian mian
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
她很少说自己的感受。
Focus: gan shou
Você disse:
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Write a short paragraph about something you rarely do nowadays, using '很少'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我现在很少看电视了，因为我更喜欢在网上看电影。 (I rarely watch TV now because I prefer watching movies online.)
Describe an activity you used to do often but now do '很少', and explain why.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我以前经常去健身房，但是现在工作很忙，所以很少去了。(I used to go to the gym often, but now I'm very busy with work, so I rarely go.)
Imagine you are planning a trip. What is something you '很少' worry about when traveling?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我旅行的时候很少担心天气，因为我觉得每个季节都有它的美。(When I travel, I rarely worry about the weather, because I think every season has its beauty.)
为什么小王很少吃甜食？ (Why does Xiao Wang rarely eat sweets?)
Read this passage:
小王喜欢吃甜食，但他很少吃。他知道吃太多甜食对身体不好，所以他会控制自己。他的朋友们都知道他这个习惯。 (Xiao Wang likes to eat sweets, but he rarely eats them. He knows eating too many sweets is bad for his health, so he controls himself. His friends all know this habit of his.)
为什么小王很少吃甜食？ (Why does Xiao Wang rarely eat sweets?)
文章中明确提到“他知道吃太多甜食对身体不好”。(The passage clearly states 'he knows eating too many sweets is bad for his health'.)
文章中明确提到“他知道吃太多甜食对身体不好”。(The passage clearly states 'he knows eating too many sweets is bad for his health'.)
李老师对待工作是怎样的态度？ (What is Teacher Li's attitude towards work?)
Read this passage:
李老师很忙，她每天都要备课、上课、批改作业。虽然工作很辛苦，但她很少抱怨。她认为教育是一件很有意义的事情。 (Teacher Li is very busy. Every day she has to prepare lessons, teach classes, and grade homework. Although the work is very hard, she rarely complains. She believes education is a very meaningful thing.)
李老师对待工作是怎样的态度？ (What is Teacher Li's attitude towards work?)
文章中提到“她很少抱怨。她认为教育是一件很有意义的事情”。(The passage mentions 'she rarely complains. She believes education is a very meaningful thing'.)
文章中提到“她很少抱怨。她认为教育是一件很有意义的事情”。(The passage mentions 'she rarely complains. She believes education is a very meaningful thing'.)
小明更喜欢哪种社交活动？ (Which type of social activity does Xiao Ming prefer?)
Read this passage:
我的朋友小明是一个内向的人，他很少参加大型的聚会。他更喜欢和几个好朋友在一起安静地聊天。但是，一旦他熟悉了你，他会变得很健谈。(My friend Xiao Ming is an introverted person; he rarely attends large gatherings. He prefers quietly chatting with a few good friends. However, once he gets to know you, he becomes very talkative.)
小明更喜欢哪种社交活动？ (Which type of social activity does Xiao Ming prefer?)
文章中提到“他更喜欢和几个好朋友在一起安静地聊天”。(The passage mentions 'he prefers quietly chatting with a few good friends'.)
文章中提到“他更喜欢和几个好朋友在一起安静地聊天”。(The passage mentions 'he prefers quietly chatting with a few good friends'.)
The correct order is Subject (我) + Adverb (很少) + Verb (看) + Object (电视).
The correct order is Subject (她) + Adverb (很少) + Verb (说) + Object (英语).
The correct order is Subject (他们) + Adverb (很少) + Verb (去) + Object (健身房).
她___去健身房，因为她工作太忙了。
The sentence implies a lack of time for the gym, so 'seldom' or 'rarely' fits best. 经常 (often), 总是 (always), and 常常 (frequently) would contradict the reason given.
我们___在周末出去吃饭，通常都在家自己做饭。
The second part of the sentence indicates that they usually cook at home, so they 'rarely' eat out. The other options imply frequency, which doesn't fit the context.
他___对别人的意见发表评论，总是很沉默。
The sentence describes him as always silent, which means he 'rarely' comments on others' opinions.
自从搬到国外后，我___有机会见到我的老朋友。
Moving abroad would naturally lead to fewer opportunities to see old friends, so 'seldom' or 'rarely' is the correct adverb here.
这家餐厅的菜味道不错，但服务员态度___好。
The conjunction '但' (but) implies a contrast. If the food is good, but the service is 'rarely' good, it creates the intended contrast.
我的猫___会发出叫声，大部分时间都很安静。
If the cat is quiet most of the time, it 'seldom' makes noise. The other options suggest more frequent vocalization.
Choose the sentence where "很少" is used correctly to mean "seldom/rarely."
“很少” means seldom/rarely and modifies a verb or an adjective. '很少很多钱' doesn't make sense; '很少吃饭' and '很少去学校' are grammatically correct but imply a less common situation for '很少' at this level. '他很少说话' (He rarely speaks) is a very common and appropriate usage.
Which sentence best expresses that someone doesn't often do something?
“很少” directly translates to 'seldom' or 'rarely,' indicating a low frequency of an action. The other options imply frequent or positive actions towards watching movies.
Select the correct translation for: "She rarely eats spicy food."
“很少” means 'rarely' or 'seldom.' The sentence '她很少吃辣的菜' correctly conveys that she rarely eats spicy food.
The sentence "我的朋友很少来我家玩" means "My friend often comes to my house to play."
“很少” means 'seldom' or 'rarely,' so the sentence means "My friend rarely comes to my house to play," not 'often.'
If someone says "我很少生气," they are saying that they get angry frequently.
“生气” means 'to get angry.' “很少生气” means 'rarely gets angry,' implying a low frequency, not frequently.
It is correct to say "他很少高兴" to mean "He is rarely happy."
“高兴” means 'happy.' “很少高兴” is a grammatically correct way to say 'He is rarely happy' or 'He is seldom happy.'
Listen for when he rarely works overtime.
Listen for the reason they rarely travel together.
Listen for her attitude towards challenges.
Read this aloud:
你很少见到这么漂亮的日落吗？
Focus: 很少 (hěn shǎo)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
他很少发表个人意见，通常都是听从集体的决定。
Focus: 发表 (fā biǎo)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
在城市里，我们很少能看到星星，空气污染太严重了。
Focus: 星星 (xīng xing)
Você disse:
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Describe a hobby or activity that you rarely do anymore, explaining why you stopped or do it infrequently. Use '很少' in your answer.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我以前很喜欢画画，但是现在我很少画了，因为工作太忙，没有时间。 (I used to love drawing, but now I rarely draw because work is too busy and I don't have time.)
Write about a type of food that you seldom eat. Explain why you don't eat it often.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我很少吃快餐，因为它不太健康，而且我自己做饭更喜欢。 (I seldom eat fast food because it's not very healthy, and I prefer to cook for myself.)
Imagine you are talking about a friend who rarely gets angry. Describe their personality using '很少'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的朋友小明性格很好，他很少生气，总是很开朗。 (My friend Xiao Ming has a great personality, he rarely gets angry and is always very cheerful.)
根据短文，现代人很少做哪些事情？ (According to the passage, what do modern people rarely do?)
Read this passage:
现代人生活节奏很快，很多人因为工作忙碌，很少有时间陪伴家人。他们也常常因为压力大，很少锻炼身体。虽然大家都知道健康很重要，但真正能坚持下来的人很少。
根据短文，现代人很少做哪些事情？ (According to the passage, what do modern people rarely do?)
短文指出现代人因为工作忙碌，很少有时间陪伴家人，也常常因为压力大，很少锻炼身体。 (The passage states that modern people rarely have time to accompany family and rarely exercise due to busy work and stress.)
短文指出现代人因为工作忙碌，很少有时间陪伴家人，也常常因为压力大，很少锻炼身体。 (The passage states that modern people rarely have time to accompany family and rarely exercise due to busy work and stress.)
为什么“我们”很少来这家餐厅吃饭？ (Why do 'we' rarely eat at this restaurant?)
Read this passage:
这家餐厅的菜味道很好，但是价格有点高，所以我们很少来这里吃饭。虽然食物美味，但我们觉得不值得经常消费。我们通常只在特殊的场合才会光顾。
为什么“我们”很少来这家餐厅吃饭？ (Why do 'we' rarely eat at this restaurant?)
短文提到“价格有点高，所以我们很少来这里吃饭”。 (The passage mentions 'the price is a bit high, so we rarely come here to eat'.)
短文提到“价格有点高，所以我们很少来这里吃饭”。 (The passage mentions 'the price is a bit high, so we rarely come here to eat'.)
这个孩子有什么特点？ (What are the characteristics of this child?)
Read this passage:
他是一个非常独立的孩子，从小就很少让父母操心。学习上他总是自己解决问题，生活上也很有条理。父母对他的表现感到非常满意。
这个孩子有什么特点？ (What are the characteristics of this child?)
短文指出“他从小就很少让父母操心”。 (The passage states 'he rarely made his parents worry since childhood'.)
短文指出“他从小就很少让父母操心”。 (The passage states 'he rarely made his parents worry since childhood'.)
The adverb '很少' (hěn shǎo) usually comes before the verb it modifies.
Time phrases like '周末' (zhōumò) can come before or after the subject, but '很少' (hěn shǎo) still precedes the verb '加班' (jiābān).
'很少' (hěn shǎo) is placed before the verb '出现' (chūxiàn), meaning 'to appear'.
她___去健身房，所以身体不太好。
Based on the context '身体不太好' (not very healthy), '很少' (rarely) is the most suitable adverb to describe her frequency of going to the gym.
由于工作繁忙，他___有时间陪家人。
Given that '工作繁忙' (busy with work), '很少' (rarely) logically describes the limited time he has for his family.
这种稀有的鸟类___在城市中出现。
The phrase '稀有的鸟类' (rare bird species) indicates that their appearance in the city would be infrequent, making '很少' (rarely) the correct choice.
他___在公共场合表达自己的真实想法，显得比较内向。
The description '显得比较内向' (appears relatively introverted) suggests that he infrequently expresses his true thoughts in public, thus '很少' (rarely) is appropriate.
这家餐厅的菜品口味独特，但___打折促销。
If a restaurant's dishes are '口味独特' (unique in taste), they might not need to frequently offer discounts, making '很少' (rarely) a fitting description for their promotions.
她对时尚不感兴趣，所以___关注最新的潮流。
Someone who is '对时尚不感兴趣' (not interested in fashion) would logically '很少' (rarely) pay attention to the latest trends.
她___在公开场合表达自己的真实想法，总是保持着一种官方的、得体的姿态。
这句话描述了她不常在公共场合表达真实想法，而是保持官方姿态，因此'很少'（seldom, rarely）是正确的选择。
这种稀有的物种___出现在这个地区，上一次被观测到还是几十年前。
根据'稀有物种'和'上一次被观测到还是几十年前'，可以推断这种物种不常出现，因此'很少'（seldom, rarely）最符合语境。
在瞬息万变的金融市场中，他___失手，对市场趋势的判断总是异常精准。
句中提到他对市场趋势的判断异常精准，这意味着他很少犯错，所以'很少'（seldom, rarely）是合适的。
由于工作繁忙，他很少有机会回家探望父母，这使得他的父母感到非常失落。
这句话表达了'他很少回家探望父母'（He rarely has the chance to visit his parents），与'很少'的含义相符，是正确的叙述。
她很少抱怨生活中的困难，总是积极乐观地面对一切挑战。
这句话描述了'她不常抱怨'（She rarely complains），这与'很少'的意思一致，是正确的。
这座图书馆很少有访客，因为它的藏书并不丰富且环境嘈杂。
这句话表示'图书馆不常有访客'（The library rarely has visitors），与'很少'的用法吻合，因此是正确的。
You are discussing a mutual friend with another friend. Describe how your mutual friend rarely participates in social gatherings these days and speculate on why that might be, using '很少'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我们共同的朋友小李最近很少参加社交聚会了。我猜他可能是工作太忙，或者最近比较累，又或者他现在的性格变得比较内向了。
You are writing a short email to a colleague about a project. Mention that you rarely encounter such complex technical issues, and suggest a meeting to discuss solutions, using '很少'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
关于我们正在进行的这个项目，我发现我们最近遇到了一个非常复杂的技术问题，这在我们之前的项目中是很少遇到的。我认为我们应该安排一次会议，尽快讨论出解决方案。
Describe a personal habit or activity you rarely engage in now, but used to do frequently, and explain the reason for the change, using '很少'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我现在很少熬夜看电影了。以前我经常这样做，但是现在我意识到保持充足的睡眠对健康很重要，而且第二天工作效率也会更高。
根据这段文字，为什么人们很少欣赏身边的风景？
Read this passage:
现代社会，人们的生活节奏越来越快，很少有人有时间停下来欣赏身边的风景。大家总是忙于工作，追逐物质，忽略了精神层面的满足。这种生活方式虽然带来了经济的繁荣，但也导致了许多社会问题。
根据这段文字，为什么人们很少欣赏身边的风景？
文章中明确提到“人们的生活节奏越来越快，很少有人有时间停下来欣赏身边的风景。大家总是忙于工作，追逐物质”，直接指出了原因。
文章中明确提到“人们的生活节奏越来越快，很少有人有时间停下来欣赏身边的风景。大家总是忙于工作，追逐物质”，直接指出了原因。
这段文字指出，在全球化背景下，人们在跨文化交流中存在的主要问题是什么？
Read this passage:
在全球化的今天，跨文化交流变得日益频繁。然而，真正深入了解异国文化的人却很少。很多人只是停留在表面的了解，未能触及文化的精髓。这导致了一些误解和偏见。
这段文字指出，在全球化背景下，人们在跨文化交流中存在的主要问题是什么？
文章中写道“真正深入了解异国文化的人却很少。很多人只是停留在表面的了解”，直接说明了问题所在。
文章中写道“真正深入了解异国文化的人却很少。很多人只是停留在表面的了解”，直接说明了问题所在。
根据这段文字，人工智能的发展对人们的工作产生了什么影响？
Read this passage:
随着人工智能技术的飞速发展，许多重复性劳动正逐渐被机器取代。这虽然提高了生产效率，但也使得一些传统行业面临挑战。现在，人们很少有机会从事纯粹的体力劳动，更多的是需要创造性思维的工作。
根据这段文字，人工智能的发展对人们的工作产生了什么影响？
文章指出“现在，人们很少有机会从事纯粹的体力劳动，更多的是需要创造性思维的工作”，直接回答了问题。
文章指出“现在，人们很少有机会从事纯粹的体力劳动，更多的是需要创造性思维的工作”，直接回答了问题。
This sentence structure follows a common pattern: Subject + Adverb + Prepositional Phrase + Verb + Object. '很少' (seldom/rarely) modifies the verb '表达' (express).
The sentence begins with a causal clause '由于工作繁忙' (due to busy work). '很少有时间' (rarely has time) indicates the infrequency of her having time to spend with family.
This sentence uses '很少见' (rarely seen) to describe the infrequency of encountering such a talented artist. The second sentence provides further context about his work.
她___在公开场合表达自己的真实想法，总是小心翼翼。
根据句意，'总是小心翼翼'暗示她不常表达真实想法。
这种稀有物种___出现在人类的视野中，通常生活在偏远的山区。
句中“稀有物种”和“偏远山区”表明其不常出现。
由于工作繁忙，他___有时间陪伴家人，这让他感到很愧疚。
“工作繁忙”导致没有时间，所以用“很少”。
像他这样对艺术有如此深厚造诣的人，在当代社会已经___。
“对艺术有如此深厚造诣”暗示这种人不多。
她对待生活总是充满热情，___表现出消极的情绪。
“充满热情”与“消极情绪”相反，故用“很少”。
在这家公司，员工们___加班，因为管理层非常重视工作与生活的平衡。
“重视工作与生活的平衡”意味着不会频繁加班。
Choose the sentence where “很少” is used correctly:
“很少” means 'seldom' or 'rarely'. In '我很少有时间看电影。', it correctly describes the infrequency of having time to watch movies. The other options are grammatically awkward or illogical in their use of “很少” in a C2 context.
Which of the following scenarios best reflects the meaning of “很少”?
“很少” indicates infrequency. A quiet town where significant events rarely occur perfectly aligns with the meaning of 'seldom' or 'rarely'.
Which of the following phrases is closest in meaning to “很少”?
“很少” means 'seldom' or 'rarely', which is similar to 'occasionally' in terms of infrequency, though '偶尔' might imply slightly more often than '很少'. '从不' is too strong, and '经常' and '总是' are antonyms.
The sentence “他很少说谎。” implies that he frequently tells lies.
“很少说谎” means 'seldom lies' or 'rarely lies'. Therefore, it implies that he does not frequently tell lies, but rather the opposite.
If someone says “我很少去那里。” it means they go there very often.
“我很少去那里。” means 'I seldom go there' or 'I rarely go there', indicating infrequency, not often.
You can use “很少” to describe something that happens with low frequency.
“很少” is an adverb meaning 'seldom' or 'rarely', and is used precisely to describe actions or occurrences with low frequency.
He rarely complains and always faces difficulties positively.
We rarely see this rare plant in the wild.
Although busy with work, he rarely misses family gatherings.
Read this aloud:
你很少会看到他表现出如此激动的情绪。
Focus: 很少 (hěn shǎo)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
我们很少有机会能深入探讨这些哲学问题。
Focus: 深入探讨 (shēnrù tàntǎo)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
她很少对别人的意见提出异议。
Focus: 提出异议 (tíchū yìyì)
Você disse:
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Describe a hobby or activity you rarely do anymore and explain why. Use 很少 at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我以前很喜欢画画，但现在工作很忙，所以很少有时间画画了。我很少能抽出一个完整的下午来专注于艺术。
Write about a social phenomenon or trend that you observe rarely happens in your culture, but might be common elsewhere. Use 很少 to describe its infrequency.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在我的文化中，人们很少会在公共场合大声喧哗或表现出过于激烈的情绪。这种内敛的表达方式与一些强调外放情感的文化形成了鲜明对比。
Imagine you are writing a critique of modern technology. Explain one negative consequence that you feel is rarely discussed. Use 很少.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
现代技术虽然带来了便利，但人们很少讨论它对我们深度思考能力的影响。长时间接触碎片化信息，使得我们很难专注于复杂的问题。
根据这段文字，关于气候变化，什么情况很少发生？
Read this passage:
尽管气候变化的影响日益显著，但关于其深层社会经济根源的讨论却很少能引起公众的广泛关注。政策制定者和媒体往往侧重于可见的短期效应，而忽视了结构性的不平等和权力分配，这些才是导致环境退化的根本原因。这种现象使得我们很难找到真正可持续的解决方案。
根据这段文字，关于气候变化，什么情况很少发生？
文章明确指出，“关于其深层社会经济根源的讨论却很少能引起公众的广泛关注。”
文章明确指出，“关于其深层社会经济根源的讨论却很少能引起公众的广泛关注。”
这段文字主要说明了什么？
Read this passage:
在一项针对当代青年价值观的调查中发现，虽然个人成就仍被高度评价，但受访者普遍认为，纯粹基于物质财富的成功很少能带来真正的幸福感。相反，社区参与、人际关系和个人成长被认为是更有意义的追求。这表明，价值观正在经历微妙的转变。
这段文字主要说明了什么？
文章提到“纯粹基于物质财富的成功很少能带来真正的幸福感”，这是核心观点。
文章提到“纯粹基于物质财富的成功很少能带来真正的幸福感”，这是核心观点。
作者认为，当前跨文化交流存在什么问题？
Read this passage:
随着全球化的深入，跨文化交流变得越来越频繁。然而，真正深入了解他国文化精髓的机会却很少。大多数交流仍停留在表面，未能触及历史、哲学和艺术等深层领域。这种肤浅的理解可能导致误解和偏见。
作者认为，当前跨文化交流存在什么问题？
文章指出“真正深入了解他国文化精髓的机会却很少”，表明了问题的症结。
文章指出“真正深入了解他国文化精髓的机会却很少”，表明了问题的症结。
This sentence structure places the adverb '很少' (seldom) before the verb phrase '在公共场合表达' (express in public).
Here, '很少' modifies the passive verb structure '被公开讨论' (be publicly discussed), indicating infrequency.
The adverb '很少' is positioned before the verb '出现' (appear) to indicate rarity within the specified context.
/ 168 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 很少 (hěn shǎo) to say something happens infrequently or rarely.
- 很少 means seldom or rarely.
- Use it to describe things that don't happen often.
- It's a common adverb for infrequency.
Basic Meaning
很少 (hěn shǎo) means seldom or rarely. It indicates a low frequency of an action or a small quantity of something.
Grammar: Adverbial Use
很少 is an adverb, so it typically comes before the verb it modifies. For example, 我很少看电视 (Wǒ hěn shǎo kàn diànshì) means 'I rarely watch TV'.
Grammar: Adjective Use (Less Common)
While primarily an adverb, 很少 can sometimes describe a small amount, like 很少人知道 (hěn shǎo rén zhīdào) meaning 'few people know'.
Common Comparisons: Often vs. Rarely
The opposite of 很少 (rarely) is 经常 (jīngcháng), which means often or frequently. Compare: 他经常来 (Tā jīngcháng lái - He often comes) vs. 他很少来 (Tā hěn shǎo lái - He rarely comes).
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