Translation guide
Expressing that something happens infrequently or is uncommon. Japanese uses various adjectives, adverbs, and set phrases depending on whether you're describing an event, a situation, or a statistical rarity.
To say that an event, situation, or thing is not common or happens only occasionally.
The most common and versatile adjective for 'rare' or 'uncommon'. Can be used for events, objects, or situations.
こんなに早く雪が降るのは珍しい。
It's rare for snow to fall this early.
彼が遅刻するのは珍しい。
It's rare for him to be late.
A slightly more formal or literary adjective meaning 'rare'. Often used in written language or formal speech.
この地域で地震が起こるのは極めて稀だ。
Earthquakes are extremely rare in this region.
A common phrase meaning 'hardly ever' or 'rarely'. Used with verbs in the negative form to indicate infrequency.
彼は滅多に怒らない。
He rarely gets angry.
こんなチャンスは滅多にない。
An opportunity like this is rare.
To describe the frequency of an event as low, using adverbs or adverbial phrases.
A casual adverb meaning 'occasionally' or 'once in a while'. Very common in everyday speech.
たまに映画を見に行く。
I go to the movies occasionally.
Means 'sometimes'. Slightly more frequent than たまに, but still indicates irregular occurrence.
Means 'very rarely' or 'once in a blue moon'. Emphasizes extreme rarity.
ごく稀に、この鳥を見かけることがある。
Very rarely, one may spot this bird.
To talk about a rare occurrence as a thing or concept, often in formal or technical contexts.
A noun meaning 'rare event' or 'strange occurrence'. Often used for unusual incidents.
昨夜、近所で珍事が起きた。
A rare event occurred in the neighborhood last night.
A formal phrase meaning 'rare event'. 稀有 is a literary term for 'rare'.
これは稀有な出来事だ。
This is a rare occurrence.
珍しい is the most common and neutral way to say 'rare'. 稀 is more formal and often used in writing. 滅多にない is a phrase meaning 'hardly ever' and is used with negative verbs to describe infrequent actions.
この花は珍しい。
This flower is rare.
この花は稀だ。
This flower is rare. (formal)
この花は滅多に見られない。
This flower is rarely seen.
Directly translating 'rare occurrence' as 珍しい出来事 is grammatically correct but often sounds unnatural in Japanese. Instead, use 珍しいこと or rephrase the sentence to use an adjective or adverb.
それは珍しいことだ。
That's a rare thing.
このような珍しい出来事は記録に値する。
A rare occurrence like this is worth documenting.
Using 珍しい出来事 is acceptable in formal contexts.
時々、昔のことを思い出す。
Sometimes I remember the old days.