Chinese word

稀罕

Pronunciation

Pinyinxī hǎn

Meaning

  • adjectiverare

Example

这种东西很稀罕，别浪费。zhè zhǒng dōng xī hěn xī hǎn bié làng fèi

This kind of thing is very rare, so don't waste it.

Illustration for 稀罕 (rare)

More examples

这种旧信件很稀罕，值得保存。zhè zhǒng jiù xìn jiàn hěn xī hǎn zhí de bǎo cún

These old letters are very rare and worth preserving.

Core concept

Something unusual stands out as worth valuing, and a person or thing can therefore attract special fondness.

Common phrases

  • 很稀罕hěn xī hǎn

    very rare

  • 稀罕的东西xī hǎn de dōng xī

    rare thing

Similar words

罕见hǎn jiàn: Rarely seen or found, with emphasis on unusual occurrence.
少见shǎo jiàn: Seen only occasionally rather than as part of everyday life.
珍贵zhēn guì: Very valuable and deserving of careful treatment.
稀少xī shǎo: Limited in quantity and hard to find or acquire.

Definition in Chinese

不常见、稀有，口语中用以形容事物珍贵或表示对人/物有好感。bù cháng jiàn xī yǒu kóu yǔ zhōng yòng yǐ xíng róng shì wù zhēn guì huò biǎo shì duì rén wù yǒu háo gǎn

Word origin

稀罕 (xīhǎn, "rare") combines 稀 (xī, "scarce") and 罕 (hǎn, "rare"), doubling the idea of uncommonness and extending it to something prized or someone regarded with fondness.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, 不稀罕 (bù xīhǎn, "not want or care for") often signals rejection, not a judgment that something is common.

Other meanings

  • likeverb
  • preciousadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 稀罕儿xī hǎnrraritynoun

Word lists with this word