Translation guide
A chemical element that is scarce in nature or difficult to extract. In Japanese, the term is expressed through specific compounds or descriptive phrases depending on context.
Demand for rare elements is increasing.
Specifically refers to rare earth elements (lanthanides, scandium, yttrium). Often used in industrial contexts.
Rare earth elements are used in smartphones.
Literally 'rare metal', often used for economically important scarce metals like lithium or cobalt.
Stable supply of rare metals is a challenge.
Describing something that is very uncommon or hard to find, not necessarily a chemical element.
希少元素 is the broad scientific term for any rare element. レアアース specifically refers to the group of 17 rare earth elements. Use レアアース only when talking about those specific metals.
Rare elements include things other than rare earths.
This cosmetic contains a rare element.