German word

selten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzɛltn̩/

Meaning

  • adverbrarely

Example

Ich gehe selten ins Kino.

I rarely go to the movies.

Illustration for selten (rarely)

More examples

Ich esse selten spät.

I rarely eat late.

Core concept

A calendar has almost all days unmarked, with only a few scattered days carrying a visit.

Common phrases

  • selten spät essen

    rarely eat late

  • selten ausgehen

    rarely go out

Similar words

nie: Not happening at any time.
manchmal: Happening on some occasions but not others.
oft: Happening on many occasions.
gelegentlich: Happening from time to time, but not regularly.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet eine geringe Häufigkeit und zeigt an, dass etwas nur selten vorkommt.

Word origin

The adverb selten continues Middle High German selte and Old High German seltan, from the same Germanic family as English seldom.

Usage tips

  • As an adverb, selten stays lowercase and invariable, while the related adjective takes normal adjective endings.

Other meanings

  • rareadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word