Translation guide
The English word 'rare' covers several distinct meanings: something uncommon or infrequent, something of low density (like air or a gas), and meat cooked lightly. Japanese uses different words for each of these meanings. This guide helps you choose the right expression depending on what you want to say.
Use this when you want to say something is not common, happens seldom, or is hard to find.
The most common and versatile word for 'rare' in the sense of uncommon or unusual. It can describe objects, events, experiences, or people.
This is a rare stamp, isn't it?
It's rare for him to be late.
A slightly more formal or literary alternative to 珍しい. Often used in written language or to emphasize extreme rarity.
This is a rare case.
Used in negative constructions to mean 'rarely' or 'hardly ever'. It emphasizes infrequency of an action or event.
He rarely gets angry.
Means 'precious' or 'valuable', often used for rare and important items or opportunities. Not a direct synonym for 'rare' in all contexts.
Thank you for the rare (valuable) experience.
Use this when describing air that is thin, such as at high altitudes, or a gas that is not dense.
Use this when ordering or describing meat, especially steak, that is cooked so the inside is still red or pink.
The loanword from English, commonly used in restaurants. It specifically means 'rare' for meat doneness.
I'd like my steak rare, please.
Literally 'half-cooked' or 'underdone'. Can be used to describe meat that is rare, but may carry a nuance of being insufficiently cooked. Use with caution.
Can imply the meat is not cooked enough, rather than intentionally rare.
This meat is still undercooked (rare).
珍しい is the everyday word for 'rare' or 'unusual'. 稀な is more formal and emphasizes extreme rarity. In casual conversation, 珍しい is almost always the better choice.
珍しい means 'uncommon' or 'unusual'. If you say 珍しいステーキ, it sounds like a strange or unusual steak, not a rare-cooked one. Use レア for meat.