German Conversation · Level 89
59 words
German word
rar
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁaːɐ̯/
Meaning
- adjectiverare
Example
Gute Angebote sind rar.
Good deals are rare.
More examples
Der Sammler zeigte einen raren Fund aus dem 18. Jahrhundert.
The collector showed a rare find from the 18th century.
Core concept
A thing encountered only now and then, making it stand out from the ordinary.
Common phrases
rarer Fund
rare find
in raren Fällen
in rare cases
Similar words
selten: Happening or appearing only occasionally.
ungewöhnlich: Not typical or usual, and noticeably different.
außergewöhnlich: Exceptional in a strong way, well outside the ordinary.
Definition in German
nicht häufig, oft mit leicht gehobenem oder literarischem Ton.
Word origin
German rar comes from Latin rarus, meaning something thinly scattered or uncommon, and retains the sense of limited occurrence.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech, selten is usually more neutral, while rar often has a slightly elevated or literary tone.